Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis
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Loading ...Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects people that suffer from psoriasis. Arthritis by definition means inflammation of the joints, psoriatic arthritis is no different and has similar symptoms, the joints become inflamed and painful.
Psoriasis usually affects the patient before the onset of arthritis, although in some rare cases the arthritis can occur first. Psoriasis is not considered the same disease, although they are related and so this is not an actual symptom of psoriatic arthritis.
The arthritis normally focuses on the joints in the feet, knees and ankles. The affected joints become swollen, painful, red and sometimes hot. Tissue surrounding the joint also swells, which is why a whole finger or a toe can swell making it look like a sausage.
Stiffness in joints is very common, especially during the morning. Generally any joint stiffness disappears as the day progresses. Psoriatic arthritis sufferers can develop an inflamed spine, causing pain and discomfort.
An inflammation of the tendons known as tendonitis is another symptom which is linked with some patients who suffer from psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can also cause inflammation of many different organs, the eyes and lungs for example. A large proportion of psoriatic arthritis sufferers experience problems with their nails.
Psoriatic nails are yellow, thick and can include deformities in the nail bed and pitting in the nail itself. Psoriatic nails do affect some patients of psoriasis however it is fairly uncommon, damage to nails is a very good indication of psoriatic arthritis.
In rare cases psoriatic arthritis can be life threatening, it can cause the aorta (known as aortitis) to become inflamed resulting in leaking from the valves, which can ultimately result in shortness of breath or heart failure.
There are no known cures for psoriatic arthritis, however there is treatment available. The treatment will depend upon the symptoms being experienced.
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