What is Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis which occurs in approximately 5% of people who have the skin condition Psoriasis. Significantly it attacks the extreme joints of fingers and toes and is asymmetric in its choice of which joints are attacked it is normal to have digits totally unaffected next to joints which have been totally destroyed. Typical of the condition is the development of sausage fingers and toes.(sausage digitalis: When I first heard this description used by a rheumatologist I thought he was trying to be funny little did I know that it is absolutely typical of PA for the affected digits to assume sausage like proportion). It can occur at any age and in varying degrees of severity. It can be simply a general Rheumatic pain involving morning stiffness muscular pain and fatigue or at worse can develop into arthritis mutilans which totally destroys both joints and mobility of the sufferer. It can be more difficult to diagnose than RA since there is often no significant Rheumatoid factors present in the sufferers blood

This X Ray shows the destructive nature of this malady the joint is attacked by the bodies own white blood cells resulting ultimately in the total destruction of the joint mechanism; The only recourse at this stage is the replacement of the joint with an artificial one. Remember if you or anyone in your family suffers from psoriasis and you develop joint pain or persistent flue like symptoms get medical advice. The earlier the diagnosis the less likely you are to suffer long term joint damage.