Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis seen in about 30% of psoriatic victims. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder characterized by frequent episodes of redness and itching; thick, dry, silvery scales on the skin; and nail abnormalities.

The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are varied. In some patients the symptoms may be subtle and gradual in onset while in some they may be abrupt and dramatic.

The symptoms includemorning stiffness, discomfort pain, swelling or tenderness in one or more joints; reduced range of motion in joints; pitting or detachment of nails; tenderness, pain, or swelling where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone (enthesitis); inflammation of eye and gray scaly spot over scalp, elbow, knee and lower spine.

There are five types of Psoriatic Arthritis :

Symmetric - It affects the same joints on both sides of the body, usually occur in multiple parts. It closely resembles rheumatoid arthritis, but a degree milder!
Asymmetric - It does not afeect the matching joints on both sides of the body, typically one to three joints are involved.

Distal Interphalangeal Predominant (DIP) - It primarily causes the inflammation and stiffness of small joints of the fingers and toes that are closest to the nails.

Spondylitis - It usually causes the inflammation and stiffness of the neck, lower back, spinal vertebrae and pelvic region. But it may mutilate the connective tissue of the joints of limbs also.

Arthritis Mutilans - This is a severe, deforming and destructive form of arthritis which affects the small joints of fingers and toes that are closest to the nail, it may be associated with lower back pain and neck pain. It is also called chronic absorptive arthritis, it may be seen in rheumatoid arthritis too. Fortunately, its incidence is very low!


Take Care!! Stay Healthy!!

>>>>SIRI