10 Warning Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis

Normally, your immune system helps you, protecting you from various illnesses. With a type of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis (PsA), that changes. Suddenly, your immune system attacks your body, especially the skin and joints. While PsA can affect anyone, you have a one in three chance of the condition if you have psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. Your risk also increases if you have experienced bone or joint trauma or are obese.

Knowing the warning signs of psoriatic arthritis empowers you to seek diagnosis and treatment that can lead to improved quality of life. There’s just one catch.

“PsA can mimic other forms of arthritis,” says Dr. Vandit Sardana, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon at Beaufort Memorial Orthopaedic Specialists. “This includes conditions such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.”

Read More: Treating Psoriatic Arthritis at Home in 5 Steps

10 Early Warning Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis

Untreated PsA can cause permanent joint damage, high blood pressure and other unwanted side effects. Therefore, recognizing and acting on the first signs of psoriatic arthritis is vital. These include:

1. Back pain — When you develop psoriatic arthritis, you may experience pain in the lower back. Back pain with PsA may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night or feel stiff for 30 minutes or longer in the morning. The pain may travel into your hips and buttocks.
2. Difficulty moving — PsA may reduce your range of motion. With time, it can be more difficult to move. In some cases, the disease causes disability.
3. Eye pain and redness — You may experience eye inflammation. It’s particularly common in the middle layer of the eye, a condition known as uveitis. PsA also causes other vision symptoms, including eye pain, redness and blurry vision. Vision loss can occur if eye inflammation isn't treated quickly.
4. Fatigue — Psoriasis and PsA may make you feel tired and lethargic.
5. Joint pain and stiffness — PsA causes mild to severe joint pain and stiffness in the hands and feet or other affected joints. This can worsen if the disease goes unchecked.
6. Nail changes — You may notice holes developing in your nails, a problem known as nail pitting. Other nail changes include deformity, discoloration, thickening and separation of the nail bed.
7. Sausage fingers — Painful swelling in the fingers and toes is common with PsA. The proper medical term for this condition is dactylitis, but this swelling is also known as “sausage fingers” or “sausage digits.” About 40% of people with PsA have dactylitis.
8. Scaly patches on elbows and knees — PsA causes itchy, painful, red patches or buildup of dead skin cells on the body. This occurs most commonly on the knees, elbows and scalp, though it may show up on any body part.
9. Stomach issues — You may experience inflammation in the digestive tract, resulting in pain, diarrhea and other symptoms. Many people with PsA also have inflammatory bowel disease.
10. Tenderness — You may have tenderness in areas where tendons or ligaments attach to bones. Pain and swelling in the toes, ankles, heels and soles are also common.

If you experience any of these signs of psoriatic arthritis, talk to your primary care provider. Early detection and treatment can help slow down and prevent future joint damage.

Confirming Signs Point Toward Psoriatic Arthritis

A physical exam is the first step to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. During the exam, your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and whether you have a family history of PsA, psoriasis or other autoimmune diseases. Your healthcare provider will also check for signs of psoriatic arthritis, including tenderness, reduced mobility, skin symptoms, nail changes and swelling.

If you have symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, one more step can help rule out other conditions.

“Blood tests can point to other similar conditions and check for signs of inflammation,” Dr. Sardana says. “We can also order X-rays to look for bone and joint changes.”

Read More: What You Need to Know About Psoriatic Arthritis and Your Feet

Managing the Signs of Psoriatic Arthritis

While there is no cure for PsA, you can manage the disease and have a healthy, active life. Current treatment options range from lifestyle changes to surgical intervention.

“Treatment varies based on how the disease affects your life,” Dr. Sardana says. “If you have mild symptoms, you may only need treatment during flare-ups. People with severe psoriatic arthritis may need a more aggressive treatment plan to reduce inflammation and improve quality of life.”

Step 1: Treat PsA With Lifestyle Changes

A healthy lifestyle goes a long way toward managing the symptoms and signs of psoriatic arthritis. Lifestyle habits that help reduce pain and inflammation caused by psoriatic arthritis include:

• Avoiding clothing, skincare products and laundry detergents that irritate your skin
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of anti-inflammatory foods, such as leafy green vegetables and fatty fish
• Getting plenty of exercise to keep joints healthy
• Managing stress with fun activities or support groups
• Soothing your skin with gentle moisturizers
• Using hot and cold packs to reduce swelling and stiffness

Step 2: Find Relief With Medication

When signs of psoriatic arthritis stick around despite lifestyle changes, medication may help. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, may help. If your symptoms don’t improve, you may benefit from an injection of strong inflammation-fighting drugs.

Read More: 9 Steps to Manage Arthritis Symptoms As You Age

Step 3: Seek Surgery When Necessary

In rare cases, PsA requires surgery. You may benefit from surgery if your joints are severely damaged by the disease. Joint replacement surgery is a common surgery for people with psoriatic arthritis whose symptoms continue despite other treatments.

During surgery, an orthopedic surgeon removes the damaged joint and replaces it with a plastic, metal or ceramic prosthesis. At the Beaufort Memorial Joint Replacement Center, we work with you every step along your joint replacement journey to help you make the most of your new joint.

Think you might have psoriatic arthritis? Call 843-522-7435 to find an orthopedic specialist at Beaufort Memorial, or request an appointment online.