What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

If you have psoriasis, there is a chance you may ultimately be diagnosed with a condition known as psoriatic arthritis. What is this condition, what are the signs you might have it, and how do you deal with it?

The Basics

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease, which basically means it lasts for a long time. However, just because you have it, that doesn’t mean you’ll always experience symptoms. There will be times symptoms are worse, and other times when you might not have them at all.

Some people with this condition have pain on just one side of the body, while others have discomfort on both sides. Joints are often swollen, warm to the touch and painful. This pain can affect any area of the body – it will sometimes be severe, but other times it will be mild.

Symptoms

There are several common symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis. You might, for instance, have pain in your feet. This usually occurs in the sole or back of the foot. Lower back pain is also common. Psoriatic arthritis can lead to another condition known as spondylitis. This results in inflammation of the vertebrae in your spine, as well as between the pelvis and spine.

Psoriatic arthritis can also lead to swelling of the fingers and toes. Your hands and feet may become swollen before you start feeling joint pain.

Managing the Problem

Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis. But there are several ways to manage your discomfort. An expert with Rheumatology Care of North Houston can recommend medications to bring relief and show you other ways to deal with this issue. Contact us online or call 832.532.9779 to schedule an appointment.