Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment
Specialized care for arthritis linked with psoriasis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of inflammatory arthritis that develops in some people with psoriasis, a skin condition causing scaly, red patches. Joint symptoms can appear before, alongside, or years after the skin condition, and the pattern of joint involvement is often different from other types of inflammatory arthritis, sometimes affecting individual joints asymmetrically.
Types
Asymmetric Oligoarticular Psoriatic Arthritis
Affects a small number of joints, often not matching on both sides of the body.
Symmetric Polyarthritis
Affects multiple joints symmetrically, resembling rheumatoid arthritis in pattern.
Distal Interphalangeal Predominant
Primarily affects the joints closest to the fingertips and toenails.
Psoriatic Spondylitis
Involves the spine and sacroiliac joints, causing back pain and stiffness.
Arthritis Mutilans
A rare, more severe form causing significant joint destruction if not treated early.
Common Causes
Psoriatic arthritis develops in people with psoriasis due to the same underlying immune dysfunction that affects the skin, this time targeting the joints.
- Underlying psoriasis - nearly all cases of psoriatic arthritis occur in people who have or will develop psoriasis.
- Genetic predisposition - certain genetic markers increase susceptibility to both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
- Family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
- Immune system dysfunction driving inflammation in both skin and joints.
- Environmental triggers that may activate disease onset in susceptible individuals.
Signs and Symptoms
- Joint pain and swelling, often affecting fingers or toes causing a sausage-like swelling
- Nail changes, including pitting or separation from the nail bed
- Lower back or buttock pain if the spine is involved
- Fatigue alongside joint and skin symptoms
- Eye inflammation in some cases, requiring separate attention
Diagnosis
Diagnosis combines the presence of psoriasis (or a family history of it) with the specific pattern of joint involvement, supported by blood tests and imaging to assess joint inflammation and rule out other types of arthritis.
Treatment Approach
Treatment often overlaps with rheumatoid arthritis management, using disease-modifying medication to control both joint and skin symptoms together. Physiotherapy supports joint function, and coordinated care between orthopaedic and dermatology input is often valuable given the condition's effect on both skin and joints. Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna manages the orthopaedic aspects of psoriatic arthritis alongside the broader medical treatment of the condition.
Please note: This page is for general information only and does not replace a proper medical evaluation. Every case is different, and the underlying cause of your symptoms may not match what is described here. Please do not use this page to self-diagnose - consult Dr. K. G. Gopalakrishna or another qualified orthopaedic specialist for an accurate diagnosis specific to you.
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Last reviewed: August 2026