Stages And Signs Of Psoriatic Arthritis Encinitas CA (2024)

FAQs

Stages And Signs Of Psoriatic Arthritis Encinitas CA? ›

Stages of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis doesn't have defined stages. Its progression can vary from person to person. Generally, the early stages of psoriatic arthritis may cause nail changes (such as pitting or shallow ridges) and pain and swelling in one or more of the smaller joints (such as fingers, toes, or ankles).

Early symptoms of psoriatic arthritis may include joint pain and stiffness, pitted nails, skin lesions, fatigue, and limited range of motion. If you have psoriasis, you may be more likely to develop PsA than someone who doesn't.

Psoriatic arthritis is categorized into five types: distal interphalangeal predominant, asymmetric oligoarticular, symmetric polyarthritis, spondylitis, and arthritis mutilans. The distal interphalangeal predominant type affects mainly the ends of the fingers and toes.

PsA does not usually affect life expectancy, but a person with PsA may have a higher risk of other conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

Complications. A small percentage of people with psoriatic arthritis develop arthritis mutilans — a severe, painful and disabling form of psoriatic arthritis. Over time, arthritis mutilans destroys the small bones in the hands, especially the fingers, leading to permanent deformity and disability.

PsA is often undiagnosed and can be misdiagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), especially in a non-rheumatologic setting [7–9]. RA is a chronic inflammatory arthritis typified by pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints, particularly symmetric small-joint synovitis of the hands and feet [10].

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflamed, swollen, and painful joints. It happens most often in the fingers and toes. It can lead to deformed joints. Treatment may include medicines, heat and cold, splints, exercise, physical therapy, and surgery.

Psoriatic arthritis can worsen at night due to various factors, including the natural circadian rhythms, physical inactivity, medication timing, and sleep disturbances.

What test confirms psoriatic arthritis? ›

X-rays. These can help pinpoint changes in the joints that occur in psoriatic arthritis but not in other arthritic conditions. MRI. This uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of both hard and soft tissues in your body.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

They may include: Scaly, inflamed patches of skin characteristic of psoriasis, often on the scalp, elbows, or knees. Joint stiffness, pain, and swelling of one or more joints. The joints of the spine can be affected as well, leading to stiffness in the neck, lower back, and hips.

Skin trauma includes bruises, cuts, scrapes, infections, sunburns, and tattoos. 7 Skin trauma may also trigger joint symptoms. The link between injury and flares is related to abnormal inflammatory responses. People with PsA can prevent skin trauma by wearing gloves when cooking, gardening, or shaving.

The hallmark of psoriatic arthritis is the combination of erosive change with bone proliferation, in a predominantly distal distribution (e.g. interphalangeal more than metacarpophalangeal joints). The disease most commonly involves the hands, followed by feet. It can also affect sacroiliac joints and spine.

The most common form of the disease is the one involving a few joints of the peripheral skeleton with a distinct asymmetry of symptoms (Figure 6). Involvement of the smaller joints of the hands and feet, especially distal interphalangeal joints, seems to be a characteristic feature.

What does a PsA flare feel like? Early signs of a PsA flare include fatigue together with throbbing pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints. The tendons may also be painful. In addition, a person may notice swelling in the fingers and toes and worsening skin symptoms.

Psoriatic arthritis has the potential to put you in a wheelchair, and just because you're walking around on your own doesn't mean it's easy.

Qualifying for disability benefits

You can apply when PsA makes it difficult or impossible to perform a job. While you do not need to have a disability for a certain amount of time before you apply, you'll need to show that PsA will prevent you from working for at least 12 months.

A typical psoriatic arthritis flare-up can last anywhere from a few days to a week. It depends on the individual. And it can vary on when you get them. You may experience flare-ups often, while others may not have them as frequently.