Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that causes painful joint inflammation. It usually affects people who have psoriasis - a skin condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales particularly around the elbows, knees, back, and scalp. Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin lesions appear.

 

Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can affect any joint but commonly affects the joints of the hands, feet, knees and ankles and sometimes the spine. In addition you may have changes to nails and have associated painful red eyes. 

 

The aims of treatment are to control symptoms and prevent damage to your joints. Without treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be disabling.