Psoriatic Arthritis and How to Treat It

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects some people who already have psoriasis. This condition is the later stage of psoriasis is characterized by red patches on the skin with silvery scales. Most people start developing joint pains before they experience these symptoms. 

Psoriatic arthritis can affect can joint in the body, that can include your fingers, wrist, knees, hip or even toes. It presents with redness, swelling and inflammation around the area. So far, there is no cure for psoriatic arthritis but medicine is available to manage and control symptoms from damaging the joints. Without suitable treatment psoriatic arthritis can lead to disability. 

Psoriatic arthritis starts when the body starts to attack itself and recognizes itself as foreign which as a result causes the the immune system to destroy healthy cells causing inflammation in the joints as well as overproduction of skin cells. It’s still not entirely clear why psoriasis causes the body to attack itself. There are theories that this disease might be genetic. Scientists have isolated genetic markers for psoriatic arthritis. 

There are several risk factors with people with psoriatic arthritis. One of the the signs includes psoriasis forming on the nail beds of your fingers and toes. This most likely leads towards psoriatic arthritis. This disease has been commonly associated in individuals between 30 and 50. And lastly, as said before it’s genetic so if a family member had it, chances are high. 

There are a small percentage of individuals with psoriatic arthritis in which there are complications such as arthritis mutilans can arise. Athritis mutilans is a severe and painful disease that can cause permanent disability. arthritis mutilans destroys small bones in the body particularly the fingers. 

Different imaging are performed such as X-rays and MRI. Both are used to identify the area that is affected. In some cases, MRI is required to check how far the psoriasis has penetrated the hard and soft tissues. This is particularly ordered for people with back pain as the spine might have been affected. To study differential diagnosis, different tests are studied such as RF test for rheumatoid arthritis and Joint Fluid test for gout. 
So far there are 4 locations for psoriatic arthritis treatments Sarasota FL. Different methods of treatments are used according to the patient’s need. Best care is provided to ensure the patient comfort. Oral and injection medications are prescribed to help with the inflammation. Light therapy is available at home and in the office to help reduce psoriasis rashes. Different prescription creams are also available to slow down psoriasis. Steroid injections are injected to reduce inflammation in the body. And lastly is the psoriatic arthritis has progressed to a level in which surgery is required then joint replacement surgery is done and the individual has a artifical prosthesis installed to restore mobility. 

These treatments are effective along with lifestyle changes. With these changes,can cause a substantial decrease in symptoms including rashes, swelling and inflammation. 
In conclusion, there is no cure to psoriasis and the only treatments available is managing the symptoms. Scientists are working everyday to develop a cure against psoriasis.