Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition where a person develops arthritis after contracting psoriasis. Very rarely it may manifest the other way round with the arthritis coming on before the psoriasis. 

The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are very similar to rheumatoid arthritis, because the cause is the same. The body's own immune system attacks the cartilage that protects the bones of the joint causing swelling and pain. Psoriatic arthritis is however more severe and can actually be disabling if not treated properly. 

The symptoms are generally swelling and pain, with the fingers and toes getting swollen and giving a sausage like appearance. In fact the swelling can become so severe that the digits cannot be moved. Sometimes the digits of the hands and feet can develop deformities before any pain becomes apparent in the joint. 

There may also be pain at the points where the ligaments attach to the bones of the foot. The most common areas of pain are the heel and the instep or sole of the foot making walking a very painful process. 

Psoriatic arthritis also attacks other parts of the body apart from the foot. It may for example attack the joints of the spine leading to spondylitis. This is a very painful condition, and requires immediate medical intervention. It can also attack other joints like the knees, shoulders etc. 

The nails too will get deformed, and in many cases the nails will start to deform first, before the joints get attacked. Any deformity in the nails therefore need to be treated very seriously. 

The symptoms may be asymmetric where the arthritis affects only one side of the body, and fewer than 3 joints in general or symmetric where it affects both sides of the body. More than 70% of all cases are asymmetric. Symmetric psoriatic arthritis is however disabling in about 50% of all cases. Psoriatic arthritis is very common in those who develop psoriasis and so they should be very careful. If there is any pain in the joints then a visit to the doctor is apparent. 

It's symptoms are not dissimilar to rheumatoid arthritis, and even the treatment is almost ditto between the two. Unfortunately there is no known cure for arthritis, and the only thing that can be done is reduce the symptoms and pain associated with an attack.

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