Psoriatic Arthritis & Knee Pain

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of joint inflammation caused by psoriasis. If the psoriatic arthritis affects the knee, it can cause knee pain.

Psoriasis

• Psoriasis is a chronic skin and nail disease involving red, scaly rashes and thick, pitted fingernails.

Psoriatic Arthritis

• Psoriatic arthritis may occur in anywhere from 2 to 42 percent of people with psoriasis, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. People with AIDS or with severe psoriasis are at higher risk of developing psoriatic arthritis.

Occurrence

• Although psoriatic arthritis is most common in the fingers and toes, it can occur in other joints, including the knee. Most often, psoriatic arthritis will affect only one knee.

Treatment

• According the Oregon Health and Science University, treatment for psoriatic arthritis usually involves treating both the skin condition and the joint inflammation. Possible treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, light treatment, heat and cold, exercise, physical therapy and dermatology management of the skin rash.

Considerations

• According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, people with psoriatic arthritis often have mild skin symptoms, but the symptoms are more likely to affect the whole body.