Osteoarthritis Health Center

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Arthritis: Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that affects 10-30% of the millions of Americans who have the skin condition psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by frequent episodes of redness and itching; thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin; and nail abnormalities.

There are five types of psoriatic arthritis. It is important to know which type of psoriatic arthritis you have and to understand its characteristics so that it may be treated properly.

Symmetric Psoriatic Arthritis.
Symmetric arthritis affects the same joints -- usually in multiple matching pairs -- on both sides of the body. Symmetric arthritis can be disabling, causing varying degrees of progressive, destructive disease in 50% of people with this type of arthritis. Though symmetric arthritis resembles rheumatoid arthritis, it is generally milder.
Asymmetric Psoriatic Arthritis.
Asymmetric arthritis typically involves one to three joints in the body -- large or small -- such as the knee, hip, or one or several fingers. Asymmetric arthritis does not affect matching pairs of joints on both sides of the body.
Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP)
Distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis involves primarily the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail. DIP is sometimes confused with osteoarthritis, a chronic disease that causes the deterioration of joint cartilage and tissues and bone spurs at the joints.
Spondylitis .
Spondylitis affects the spinal column, and may cause inflammation and stiffness in the neck, lower back, spinal vertebrae, or sacroiliac region (pelvic area), making motion difficult. Spondylitis also may attack connective tissue, such as ligaments, or cause arthritic disease in the joints of the arms, hips, legs or feet.
Arthritis Mutilans.
Arthritis mutilans is a severe, deforming and destructive form of psoriatic arthritis that primarily affects the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail but also is frequently associated with lower back and neck pain. Fortunately, this type of psoriatic arthritis is uncommon.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms may vary. For some, the onset of symptoms may be gradual and subtle; and for others, it may be sudden and dramatic. Generally, the signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include some or all of the following:

Discomfort, stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling or tenderness in one or more joints.
Reduced range of motion in joints.
Morning stiffness and fatigue.
Silver or gray scaly spots on the scalp, elbows, knees or the lower spine.
Inflammation or stiffness in the lower back, wrists, knees or ankles, or swelling in the small joints in the fingers and toes closest to the nail, giving these joints a sausage-like appearance (dactylitis).
Pitting of the nails (small depressions).
Detachment of fingernails or toenails.
Tenderness, pain or swelling where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone (enthesitis).
Inflammation of the eye.