Understanding the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

ByAgkidzone Staff

Updated: Oct 19, 2024

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Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that often goes hand in hand with the skin condition psoriasis. When the body produces too many skin cells, it leads to red patches with silvery scales, especially on joints like the elbows and knees. Interestingly, while many people first experience psoriasis, joint issues can sometimes appear before skin patches appear. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can be confusing since they overlap with many other conditions, making diagnosis tricky. Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but treatments focus on managing symptoms and preventing further damage to the joints.

Severity of Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic condition that tends to worsen over time, but it doesn’t follow a straight line. The symptoms can fluctuate, with some days being better than others. For some people, the symptoms are mild and manageable. But for others, psoriatic arthritis can become a significant challenge, even debilitating at times. It's common for people to experience "flare-ups" where symptoms worsen, followed by periods of remission when they feel better. This roller-coaster nature of the disease can make it hard to predict how it will progress.

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Painful Joints

One of the most telltale signs of psoriatic arthritis is joint pain. This pain tends to show up in areas like the fingers, lower back, knees, ankles, and toes. Sometimes, the pain in the lower back could be mistaken for ankylosing spondylitis, another form of inflammatory arthritis. Pain in the fingers might also be confused with gout, which complicates getting a precise diagnosis without thorough testing. It’s easy to see why so many people have to go through a few hoops to find out exactly what’s going on.

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Joint Stiffness

Another major symptom of psoriatic arthritis is joint stiffness. This stiffness can affect one or several joints and is often worse in the morning or after sitting for a long period. The severity of stiffness usually depends on how much the tissues around the joints are inflamed. For many, it’s tough to get out of bed in the morning or move around after sitting still for a while. However, joint stiffness can also be a sign of osteoporosis, which adds to the difficulty in pinpointing the right diagnosis.

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Skin Rashes

Skin rashes are a key indicator that helps doctors make a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis. Often, psoriasis shows up before psoriatic arthritis, and the rashes appear as thick, red patches with flaky, silver scales. These rashes tend to form over joints like the elbows and knees. In some cases, the nails also become involved, lifting off the nail bed and becoming thick and pitted. This skin-related symptom is often what helps doctors confirm that psoriatic arthritis is the cause of a person’s joint problems.

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Sausage-Like Swelling

A common, and often uncomfortable, symptom of psoriatic arthritis is dactylitis, or swelling of the fingers or toes. The swelling usually runs along the entire length of the finger or toe, making them look sausage-like. It can be painful and certainly uncomfortable. This symptom is fairly specific to psoriatic arthritis and can often help doctors make a more confident diagnosis.

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Eye Changes

Eye changes are another symptom of psoriatic arthritis that can range from mild irritation to severe problems. Many people develop conjunctivitis, which causes the tissue around the eyes to become pink, itchy, and irritated. More serious eye issues, like uveitis, involve swelling in parts of the eye, such as the sclera and cornea. Uveitis can lead to significant vision problems, including blindness if left untreated. Therefore, it’s crucial for anyone experiencing eye symptoms to seek medical attention right away.

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Tendon or Ligament Pain

Psoriatic arthritis doesn’t just stop at the joints—it can also affect tendons and ligaments. Tendon and ligament pain often occurs where these tissues attach to bones. Common areas include the elbows, the bottom of the foot, and the heel. Because this pain can also be due to other issues like sports injuries, conditions such as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, or Achilles tendinitis may be suspected before psoriatic arthritis is considered.

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Decreased Range of Motion

During a flare, many people with psoriatic arthritis experience a decreased range of motion in their joints. Swelling, stiffness, and pain can all contribute to this limitation in movement. While this symptom is common in other forms of arthritis as well, it’s a frustrating part of the disease. Even everyday tasks can become a challenge when you can’t move your limbs as freely as you’d like.

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Fatigue

Fatigue is a major problem for many people dealing with psoriatic arthritis. This exhaustion can sometimes be overwhelming, making it difficult to carry on with daily activities. While fatigue is also a common symptom in other forms of arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, it often adds to the challenge of diagnosing psoriatic arthritis. Joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation all contribute to this persistent sense of tiredness, which can sometimes feel as difficult to manage as the pain itself.

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Related Diseases and Symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s often linked to other health issues. It is closely associated with Crohn’s disease and can cause inflammation that leads to lung damage, raising the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other related conditions include osteoporosis, gout, high blood pressure, depression, and metabolic syndrome. Because of these connections, people with psoriatic arthritis need to monitor their health closely and work with their doctors to manage not just their joint symptoms but their overall health as well.

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