Psoriatic Arthritis Archives - Arora Hand Surgery

Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms, Signs & Treatment

Post author By aaarora
Post date March 6, 2017

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include inflammation in the hands, as shown here.

It’s important for patients to recognize psoriatic arthritis symptoms in order to seek proper treatment, which can be very effective in reducing the effects of the condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that seems to be linked to skin psoriasis. This is an inflammatory type of arthritis that leaves sufferers with joint swelling and joint pain. It can eventually lead to permanent damage if steps are not taken to control the inflammation. Most people are able to prevent long-term joint damage by sticking to a regular routine of medication.

Psoriasis is a disease that causes your skin to turn scaly and red. Lesions can be seen throughout the body, but especially on the knees, elbows and scalp. This form of arthritis is usually diagnosed when a rheumatologist examines your clinical history, does an exam and looks at X-rays.

At times, individuals may develop the symptoms of the arthritis before psoriasis is visible on the skin. It is estimated that somewhere between 15 and 30 percent of individuals who are battling with psoriasis will eventually develop this form of arthritis.

Psoriatic arthritis is often seen in individuals between the ages of 30 and 50. However, there are examples of individuals suffering from this disease early on in childhood. Unlike other diseases that may favor men over women or vice versa, this type of arthritis affects men and women equally.

Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are autoimmune disorders. Your body mistakes certain tissues as being dangerous, and so it tries to protect itself by causing these tissues to become inflamed. In skin psoriasis, the inflammation appears on your skin. However, in psoriatic arthritis, it is seen in your joints.

Like many other autoimmune disorders, this form of arthritis can range from a mild condition to something that is very severe and debilitating. There has been some link between the severity of a patient’s skin psoriasis and the severity of the arthritis in their joints.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can be seen in any and every joint in the body, or it may just affect one area. For example, it can affect all of your fingers or just one. When your fingers and toes are affected, they will look swollen. You may notice that your nails become thick and start to pit.

The good news is that psoriatic arthritis treatments are beneficial to the majority of sufferers. For example, there are certain anti-inflammatory drugs that may help in milder cases. Anti-rheumatic drugs may be prescribed as well. In some cases, drugs can be used to address both the skin condition and the joint disease.

Dealing with arthritis can be a challenge. Thankfully, it does not have to be a challenge that stops your ability to live life. Make an appointment at Arora Hand Surgery in West Bloomfield, Howell, Warren, or Macomb to learn about your treatment options. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Tags Psoriatic Arthitis Symptoms, Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment

Conditions General Hands

Dealing with Psoriatic Arthritis of the Hand

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Post author By aaarora
Post date November 9, 2015

A lot of people know about osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, but not many realize that you can develop arthritis from the skin condition known as psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis of the hand is somewhat rare, with around five to twenty percent of people with psoriasis developing arthritis related to it. However, it is common enough that it is very useful for anyone with psoriasis to learn about it, and its symptoms.

What Happens When You Have Psoriatic Arthritis?

If you have psoriasis, you are well aware of its appearance. Your skin takes on a very dry and scaly look, and it can often appear as if you have rashes in many areas of the body. The condition does tend to cause prolonged or even constant irritation to the skin, and it is this sort of irritation that eventually leads to the development of arthritis in the underlying bones and cartilage.

Because arthritis, which means “inflamed joint”, is something that can be due to chronic inflammation, it makes sense that psoriasis might eventually cause problems in the hands and wrists, where it is so prevalent. It does many of the same things that other forms of arthritis do when it does appear in the hands, and will lead to swelling, deformity of the joints, and a lack of stability in the wrist. The swelling of this condition, though, is more pronounced than any other form of arthritis (MayoClinic, 2015).

This is all due to the fact that the psoriatic arthritis is actually causing the lining of the joints to swell and to then degrade and allow bones to erode and rub against one another.

Many patients with psoriatic arthritis display many similar symptoms as those with rheumatoid arthritis. Their hands will appear swollen and with a red discoloration. They can be warm to the touch and will often have difficulty with stiffness and movement. However, unlike rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is usually asymmetrical (meaning it may appear on one hand and not the other), it causes skin lesions, and it tends to strike the PIP and DIP joint (the middle and end joints), rather than the middle joints or the wrist areas.

Diagnosing and Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

You must visit a hand doctor if you suspect that your psoriasis has now caused you to develop arthritis, especially if others in your family already have this condition. The physician will do a thorough history and exam. They may order a few tests and X-rays to determine if you do have the condition.

Should you be diagnosed with it, your doctor is going to focus on pain relief, alleviation of the swelling and inflammation, and function as the goals of treatment. This means you will work with more than just the hand doctor and may find yourself working with a therapist as well as other specialists. Medications and ongoing therapies are usually the most conservative treatments, and a hand doctor is likely to refrain from surgery until it is absolutely necessary. This is because it is a progressive issue, and surgery may be used as an intervention rather than an initial treatment of symptoms.

Dont hesitate to contact your doctor simply because the sooner you begin your treatment, the better the outcome.

Source

MayoClinic. Psoriatic arthritis: Symptoms. 2015. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/basics/symptoms/con-20015006

Tags Hand Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment

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Dr. Aroras office from my first call to schedule my appointment was friendly. Walking in the first day, I felt like I was in a nice atmosphere. Dr. Arora was EXCELLENT in taking great care of my hand injury. He was gentle and very understanding to the concerns I had about my hand. His expertise was admirable and I would recommend anyone with an injury to their hand to his office to be under his care. Because of him, I have healed faster than expected and will make an 100% recovery! Thank you Dr.

Jackie S.

I first thought I was going to have to have painful injections or surgery, but Dr. Arora suggested physical therapy may do the trick. I was doubtful, but I agreed to do it. Now, my pain is gone, and with the help of an ergonomic keyboard at work to keep my hands in the correct position, I am virtually pain free. The therapy strengthened my wrists and shoulders, and built more flexibility into my wrists.

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My experience with this doctor was positive from the outset. Dr. Arora was kind and spent a great deal of time with me. Staff was friendly. The office was nice and bright.

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Very friendly and helpful Great staff!!! Doctor Arora was very professional and did great work. I was very happy with everything!

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