Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that attacks the tissue in the skin and joints. It’s more common in people who already have psoriasis—a condition that causes red, scaly patches of skin on various areas of the body. In fact, most people with psoriasis are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but joint problems can occur prior to any signs of this skin condition.
The main symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, stiffness and swelling, but it can affect any part of the body, including the fingers and spine, says the Mayo Clinic. They can range from mild to severe, with periods of flare-ups as well as periods of remission. While there’s no cure for psoriatic arthritis, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms in order to obtain treatment to help manage them because the disease is progressive in nature. As such, here are the seven most common symptoms to look for…
Joint and Tendon Problems
People with psoriatic arthritis commonly experience pain and stiffness in their joints, typically in the ankles, knees, fingers, toes, and lower back. According to Health.com, the joints are typically “red and warm to the touch,” and are especially stiff first thing in the morning.
Individuals may also feel pain in certain tendons or ligaments, particularly where they attach to the bones. This is called enthesitis, which the Arthritis Foundation says most commonly occurs “at the heel (Achilles tendinitis) or the bottom of the foot (plantar fasciitis), but it can also occur in the elbow (tennis elbow).”