When To Get Medical Advice
See a GP if you have persistent pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints even if you have not been diagnosed with psoriasis.
If you’ve been diagnosed with psoriasis, you should have check-ups at least once a year to monitor your condition. Make sure you let the doctor know if you’re experiencing any problems with your joints.
How Is Psoriatic Arthritis Treated
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on the severity of your condition.
Boththe skin condition and the joint inflammation are treated. Early diagnosis andtreatment helps prevent joint damage. Some medicines used to treat psoriatic arthritisinclude:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines to ease symptoms
- Corticosteroids for inflammation
- Immunosuppressive medicines such as methotrexate to reduce inflammation if NSAIDs don’t work
- Biologic medicines to ease inflammation
- Vitamins and minerals such as calcium and vitamin D to slow bone deformation
Other treatment may include:
Carpal And Tarsal Tunnel Syndromes
Carpal and tarsal tunnel syndromes involve nerves in the hands or feet that run between the carpal or tarsal bones. Most of us have heard of the carpal form. Its a repetition injury mainly associated with people who spend long hours typing on a keyboard or doing other repetitious tasks. With RD, however, these syndromes are caused by inflammation and swelling.
You May Like: How Can You Stop Arthritis In Your Hands
Don’t Miss: What Does Arthritis Look Like In Your Fingers
What Are The Neurological Complications Of Psoriatic Arthritis
Curated by Claudia Shannon / Research Scientist / ishonest
PsA and your brain
Arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes swollen and painful joints. Psoriasis is also an autoimmune condition. It causes thick scaly patches on the skin.
About 1 in 3 people who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis , which causes both sets of symptoms.
People with PsA have a higher risk of developing many neurological and other health conditions than the general population. This increased risk is at least partially explained due to increased levels of inflammation caused by psoriasis.
Read on to learn which neurological and other health conditions people with PsA have an elevated risk of developing.
The connection between psoriatic arthritis and neurological complications
Medical professionals used to think psoriasis was only a skin disorder, but its now known that it can affect many organ systems, not just the skin.
Elevated levels of inflammation can contribute to the development of neurological complications, such as:
Neuropathic pain
In a 2019 study, researchers found that 26.6 percent of a group of 64 people with PsA likely had neuropathic-like pain and 21.9 percent had possible neuropathic pain.
Neuropathic pain is often described as shooting, burning, or stabbing. Its caused by damaged nerve fibers that send pain signals to your brain.
Seizures
A 2019 study found that the odds of having epilepsy were 1.9 times higher in people with psoriasis than in the general population.
Numbness And Tingling With Arthritis: The Subtle Signs You Might Be Ignoring
The Arthritis Foundation estimates that over twenty-five million people have Arthritis in the U.S, with an estimated fifty to seventy percent of those experiencing numbness or tingling in their hands and feet. While symptoms vary depending on the type of Arthritis you have , sufferers need to be aware of these common sensations so they can seek medical action as soon as possible if need be.
Recommended Reading: Is It Gout Or Arthritis
Spinal Arthritis May Contribute To Other Issues In The Spine
Spinal arthritis may cause bone spurs overgrowths on the edges of the bones. In the spine, bone spurs particularly affect facet joints, making them grow larger. This condition is called facet joint hypertrophy. Although bone spurs on their own are not harmful, they may narrow the passages for the spinal cord and the nerves exiting the spine. This may lead to two painful conditions:
-
Spinal stenosis compression of the spinal cord inside the spinal canal
-
Radiculopathy pinching of the peripheral nerves as they exit the spine
Ankylosing spondylitis may also cause additional problems such as:
-
Stress fractures in places where new bone has formed
-
Collapsed vertebrae
-
A spinal deformity called kyphosis
Treatments For The Arthritis
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
NSAIDs, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, can reduce pain, but they might not be enough to treat symptoms of psoriatic arthritis for everyone.
Some people find that NSAIDs work well at first but become less effective after afew weeks. If this happens, itmight help to try a different NSAID.
There are about 20 different NSAIDs available, including ibuprofen, etoricoxib, etodolac and naproxen.
Like all drugs, NSAIDs can have side effects. Your doctor will reduce the risk ofthese, by prescribing the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible period of time.
NSAIDs can sometimes cause digestive problems, such as stomach upsets, indigestion or damage to the lining of the stomach. You may also be prescribed a drug called a proton pump inhibitor , such as omeprazole or lansoprazole, to help protect the stomach.
For some people, NSAIDs can increase the risk of heart attacks or strokes. Although this increased risk is small, your doctor will be cautious about prescribing NSAIDs ifthere are other factors that may increase your overall risk, for example, smoking, circulation problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Some people have found that taking NSAIDs made their psoriasis worse. Tell your doctor if this happens to you.
Steroid treatment
Steroid injections into a joint can reduce pain and swelling, but the effects do wear off after a few months.
Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
Biological therapies
Read Also: Can You Have Osteoarthritis And Rheumatoid Arthritis
High Prevalence Of Neuropathic
The prevalence of neuropathic-like pain was found to be high in patients with psoriatic arthritis , a condition that may be associated with higher disease activity and fibromyalgia, according to study results published in Clinical Rheumatology.
Central sensitization has been observed in rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis. The goal of the current study was to assess the prevalence of neuropathic-like pain in patients with PsA, using the PainDetect Questionnaire. Secondary outcome measures included disease activity assessment, brief inventory score, tender and swollen joint count, examination for dactylitis and enthesitis, American College of Rheumatology 2010 fibromyalgia questionnaire score, hospital anxiety and depression scale, fatigue severity score, and fatigue impact scale.
The study cohort included 64 adult patients with a clinical diagnosis of PsA who visited a rheumatology outpatient department. As indicated by scores on the PainDetect questionnaire, 17 patients were classified as having likely neuropathic pain, 14 patients as having possible neuropathic pain, and 33 patients as having unlikely neuropathic pain.
What Brain And Nervous System Conditions Are Linked To Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriasis doesnât affect just your skin. It often leads to psoriatic arthritis, which can affect any part of your body, including your brain and spine. Neurological conditions that have been linked to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis include:
- Myasthenia gravis, a rare condition that damages your nerve-to-muscle connections, causing muscle weakness
- Fibromyalgia, a nerve condition which causes widespread pain, fatigue, and mental health issues
- Other pain disorders
Psychiatric conditions linked to the conditions include:
Don’t Miss: How To Cure Arthritis In Ankle
Surgery For Spinal Arthritis
Surgery may be recommended for spinal arthritis if other treatments dont sufficiently relieve pain. The goals of the surgery may include:
-
Stabilizing the spine by fusing several segments together in a procedure called spinal fusion
These surgeries can be performed as open procedures or with a minimally invasive approach. There are pros and cons to each method. The surgeon will review and discuss the options before the operation.
Does Pelvic Mri Show Hip Joint
Often, an MRI will be targeted to a particular area of the body. If your hips are the area in question, a pelvic MRI will be performed. Pelvic MRIs allow a doctor to see the area between your hips, your reproductive organs, blood vessels, and hips themselves. Doctors will request hip MRIs for a variety of reasons.
Also Check: How Can I Help My Dogs Arthritis
Digestive Disorders And Psoriatic Arthritis
Did you know having psoriatic arthritis might also affect your gut?
A study published in Clinical Rheumatology found people with psoriatic arthritis are at risk for having the following conditions:
- Crohns disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects the lining of the digestive tract
- Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation in the digestive tract
- Reflux esophagitis, a condition where inflammation damages the esophagus
- Peptic ulcer disease, a condition that causes painful sores or ulcers in the lining of the stomach or small intestine
Another study, published in JAMA Dermatology, revealed people with psoriasis were around 2 times more likely to develop Crohns and ulcerative colitis compared with the general population.
The authors concluded: These findings suggest that psoriasis is significantly associated with IBD. Gastroenterology consultation may be indicated when patients with psoriasis present with bowel symptoms.
Scientists believe that the same gene mutations that are associated with psoriasis may also be related to the gut disorders.
Exercises Routines To Ease Numbness And Tingling
The general feeling of numbness can be relieved by taking some time out for reflexology massage therapy which has been shown to alleviate these sensations by increasing blood flow to muscles and joints. It would be best if you also tried exercise routines depending on what condition is causing them. These exercises include:
- Arthritis: tightening and releasing the muscles of your hands, arms and shoulders. Invest time into stretching or yoga exercises – they are good for your body and great for stress relief.
- Diabetic nerve pain: gently pressing on pressure points behind your knees or outside of elbows. Be careful not to press too hard as this may aggravate symptoms such as numbness in the fingers or toes .
Avoid activities that cause you pain, make sure you’re getting enough sleep, and stay hydrated throughout the day with water or other non-caffeinated drinks like herbal tea.
Also Check: What Can Be Done For Arthritis In The Back
Spinal Arthritis: What You Need To Know
-
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis to affect the spine.
-
Arthritis can occur anywhere along the spine, but is more frequent in the lower back and neck.
-
Pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of spinal arthritis.
-
Causes of spinal arthritis are still largely unknown except for osteoarthritis, which is typically a result of wear and tear.
-
Spinal arthritis treatment may include pain medications, steroid injections, physical therapy and surgery in severe cases.
Can Arthritis Cause Numbness And Tingling
Arthritis can cause numbness and tingle in the extremities, which is typically a symptom of Arthritis. This is because numbness and tingling are typically brought about by damage to nerve tissue, which reduces a person’s ability to sense where their limbs are located–a condition known as peripheral neuropathy. Arthritic conditions such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, fibromyalgia, and lupus erythematosus are the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy.
Don’t Miss: Can You Have Arthritis In Your Knees
Psoriatic Inflammation And The Brain
Studies have shown that people with psoriatic disease are at an increased risk for anxiety and depression.
One survey found that more than 36 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis had anxiety and about 22 percent had depression. These numbers were much higher than what people with only psoriasis reported.
Patients with psoriatic arthritis really have a sort of dysmorphic view of themselves, Ritchlin says. This is a disease thats hard to hide. Other people can see it, and the patient can feel it.
There is growing evidence that the inflammation that causes psoriatic disease can affect the brain. Inflammatory proteins called cytokines are associated with psoriatic arthritis and also commonly found in people with depression.
We used to think inflammation was only in joints and skin, says Theoharis Theoharides, MD, PhD, a professor of immunology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. The type of inflammation present in psoriatic arthritis is probably in action in the part of the brain that regulates mood, given that psoriatic arthritis has a strong nervous system component.
RELATED: 6 Essential Sources of Psoriatic Arthritis Support
Psa Causes: What Are The Main Causes Of Psoriatic Arthritis
Jump to:SymptomsCausesFlaresTreatmentPrognosis
Do you suffer from psoriasis? Do you also experience joint pain and inflammation? Have you been tested for psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is one of the three most common types of arthritis, along with rheumatoid arthritis. Men and women are equally affected by the disease. About 1-2 people per 1000 in the general population suffer from PsA. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the onset of PsA usually occurs in your fourth and fifth decade. Eighty-five percent of individuals with PsA also have psoriasis.
On the flip side, up to thirty percent of the individuals with psoriasis will develop PsA. Of patients with psoriasis who did not have PsA at presentation, almost 2 percent per year will be diagnosed with PsA.
You May Like: What Is The Difference Between Fibromyalgia And Arthritis
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis Video
Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, swelling and stiffness inand around your joints.
It usually affects 3 in 10 people who already have the skin condition psoriasis .
Psoriasis causes patches of red, flaky skin which is covered with silvery-like patches.
Some people may develop psoriatic arthritis before the psoriasis is even present. In rare cases people have psoriatic arthritis and never have any noticeable patches of psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are both autoimmune conditions, caused by a fault in the immune system.
Our immune system protects us from illness and infection. But in autoimmune conditions, the immune system becomes confused and attacks healthy parts of the body, often causing inflammation.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of spondylarthritis. This is a group of conditions with some similar symptoms.
People with psoriasis are as likely as anyone else to get othertypes of arthritis, such asosteoarthritisorrheumatoid arthritis. Theseconditionsare not linkedto psoriasis.
Where Can Psoriatic Arthritis Affect The Body
Psoriatic arthritis can affect many parts of the body, including:
Joints
Psoriatic arthritis can cause inflammation in any joint. This can lead to stiffness, pain, and tenderness.
It is important to note that this type of arthritis can be very destructive, and a healthcare professional should periodically perform imaging of the joints to assess possible damage.
Feet
Toe joints may be noticeably swollen and tender to touch. This can involve the distal joints, proximal joints, or both. The involvement can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
People with psoriatic arthritis may experience pain on the bottom of their feet or Achilles tendons due to ligament and tendon inflammation.
Skin
Psoriatic rashes may develop on the knees, scalp, and elbows. The rashes tend to be:
Research has found that People of Color tend to have psoriatic arthritis less frequently than people who are white. However, this may be an underestimation due to a disparity in epidemiological studies involving People of Color.
The available research suggests that when People of Color have the condition, they may have less obvious reddening of the skin. Instead, the color may appear purplish or darker.
People of Color may experience more pigmentation on their skin, heavier scaling, and thicker plaque. Psoriatic arthritis may also affect of the body.
Hands
Ribs
Because psoriatic arthritis causes ligament and tendon inflammation, people may experience rib pain with this condition.
Elbows
Pelvis
Nails
Eyes
Back
Recommended Reading: What Is Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis
Increased Risk Of Pancreatitis And Diabetes
A study published in the journal PLoS One found that psoriatic disease is associated with a significantly increased risk of chronic pancreatitis, an inflammatory disease of the pancreas. Chronic pancreatitis can lead to permanent damage of the pancreas.
The researchers found that the incidence of chronic pancreatitis was roughly twofold in people with psoriasis compared with those without psoriasis. They also determined that psoriasis patients using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and methotrexate , commonly used to treat psoriatic arthritis, had a lower risk of developing chronic pancreatitis.
The pancreas produces insulin, which helps maintain the bodys blood glucose levels. If the pancreas isnt functioning properly, it can lead to type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Research suggests the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is higher in patients with psoriatic arthritis. The risk of developing diabetes was shown to increase with elevated levels of psoriatic arthritis activity.
A review published in Rheumatology and Therapy found that people with psoriatic arthritis have a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes compared to the general population. The authors of the study suggest that certain treatments for psoriatic arthritis may affect how the body maintains blood sugar.
Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis
The severity of the condition can vary considerably from person to person. Some people may have severe problems affecting many joints, whereas others may only notice mild symptoms in 1 or 2 joints.
There may be times when your symptoms improve and periods when they get worse .
Relapses can be very difficult to predict, but can often be managed with medicine when they do occur.
Also Check: What Medications Are Prescribed For Arthritis
Foot Problems Are Common In Psoriatic Arthritis Heres What You Can Do About It
Psoriasis you can usually spot: the autoimmune disease often causes red patches of skin topped with thick, silvery scales. It occurs when your bodys immune system goes into overdrive, attacking healthy tissue and causing an overproduction of skin cells. But what you cant see is that same abnormal immune response may also cause inflammation in your joints.
About one-third of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints and entheses, or places where tendons and ligaments connect to bone.
Most people with psoriatic arthritis develop psoriasis first, and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But joint problems from psoriatic arthritis can sometimes begin before skin signs appear. Or sometimes skin issues are so mild that patients dont connect psoriasis with joint pain and realize they could have PsA.
Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in any joint in your body, from your hands to your back and often, in your feet. You can read here about common psoriatic arthritis symptoms.