What is psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops alongside psoriasis for about one-third of psoriasis patients. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease, causes intermittent flare-ups characterized by scaly skin rashes. This happens because of an overproduction of skin cells built up on your skin’s surface without adequate time to shed.
Like other forms of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain and stiffness. It can affect any joint in your body, and the discomfort ranges from mild to severe. Although the condition gets worse overall as time passes, you might go through intermittent periods with few or no symptoms.
What are the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis might affect the joints on one or both sides of your body. Common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, not including the symptoms of psoriasis, include:
- Joint pain
- Joint stiffness
- Swollen fingers
- Swollen toes
- Pain in your feet
- Low back pain
- Fatigue
Dr. Sardinas assesses your symptoms and might perform tests to confirm your diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in creating a successful long-term management plan.
Will I get skin lesions or rashes with psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis always develops alongside psoriasis, but you might not realize it at first. In some cases, psoriatic arthritis causes symptoms before you ever get any skin lesions or rashes from psoriasis. However, in most cases, psoriatic arthritis shows up about 10 years after psoriasis symptoms appear.
In people who have both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the symptoms vary in severity. You might have severe psoriasis with mild psoriatic arthritis symptoms or vice versa.
What are my treatment options for psoriatic arthritis?
Since there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, Dr. Sardinas creates an individualized treatment plan for you that focuses on reducing joint inflammation and stiffness. Your psoriatic arthritis treatment might involve:
Oral medications
Many oral medications relieve symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biologics. Dr. Sardinas prescribes one or more and teaches you how to take them safely and effectively.
Steroid injections
Dr. Sardinas now offers ultrasound-guided corticosteroid joint injections at his office. These injections go directly into your painful or tender joints to relieve inflammation at the source.
Joint replacement surgery
If your condition has progressed to the point that conservative treatments don’t provide relief, Dr. Sardinas might recommend joint replacement surgery for one or more joints.
For professional help exploring treatments for psoriatic arthritis, call Alfredo Sardinas Jr MD PA, or book an appointment online today.
