Recognizing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis helps identify this condition in its early stages, which is essential to prevent permanent joint damage.
Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects both the joints and the skin. It is a condition directly related to psoriasis, a skin disease characterized by red patches covered with silvery scales. It is estimated that between 20% to 30% of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, although this condition can also occur in individuals without evident skin lesions.
Psoriatic arthritis manifests in different ways and may appear in joints of all sizes, in the spine, tendons, ligaments, or skin.
How to know if I have arthritis
Detecting the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis is key to preventing permanent damage. Among the most common signs are:
- Joint pain and stiffness: one of the first signs to appear. Joint pain may be accompanied by stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity. It most often affects the joints of the feet, hands, knees, elbows, or the spine.
- Joint inflammation: causes swelling in the joints, which can make them tender to the touch. This symptom may appear in a single joint or in multiple joints at the same time and in an asymmetrical pattern.
- Dactylitis: a condition also colloquially known as “sausage digits,” occurs when the fingers or toes become uniformly swollen. This is a characteristic sign of psoriatic arthritis and helps distinguish it from other rheumatic diseases.
- Tendon pain and enthesitis: inflammation at the points where tendons and ligaments attach to bones, commonly affecting the heel, the sole of the foot, and the ribs.
- Nail changes: changes in the nails may be observed, such as pitting, nail bed separation, or thickening.
- Fatigue and general discomfort: systemic inflammation may cause extreme fatigue, low-grade fever, and an overall feeling of illness.
- Back pain: spondylitis, which is involvement of the spine, causes pain and stiffness in the lower back, neck, and hips.
The diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, imaging studies, and laboratory tests. X-rays and MRI can reveal characteristic joint damage, while blood tests help rule out other health conditions.
A history of psoriasis is essential for early diagnosis; living with psoriasis or having a family history of the disease greatly increases the risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis
The main goal of treatment for psoriatic arthritis is to relieve symptoms, prevent joint damage, and improve the person’s quality of life.
There are various treatment options that include:
- Medications: antirheumatic drugs, anti-inflammatories, biologic therapies, or JAK inhibitors are used.
- Complementary therapies: physical therapy helps improve mobility, strengthen muscles, and reduce joint stiffness, while occupational therapy assists patients in adapting their daily activities and preserving functionality.
- Lifestyle changes: lifestyle modifications are often required, including regular exercise, following a healthy diet, and learning to manage stress.
- Dermatological treatment: in patients with severe skin manifestations, dermatologists may prescribe topical treatments, phototherapy, and systemic medications to control psoriasis.
- Surgery: in the most severe or advanced cases, where the joints are severely damaged, orthopedic surgery such as joint replacement may be a possible option.
Identifying the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis early is an important step, as it helps ensure appropriate treatment before serious complications occur.
At the ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!
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NIH, MedlinePlus, MSD Manuals
