Psoriasis and Joint Pain

Not everyone stricken with the skin disease psoriasis has joint pain, but a small percentage find themselves also afflicted with what can be an aggressive form of arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis. The underlying cause is inflammation of the immune system.

Identification

• Thirty to 40 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, usually between the ages of 30 to 50, though age and gender can be irrelevant. In about 70 percent of cases, psoriasis usually appears 10 years before the onset of psoriatic arthritis.

Early Signs

• Pitting or discoloration in fingernails and/or toenails is the first indication of psoriatic arthritis in almost 90 percent of cases.

Development

• Psoriatic arthritis tends to manifest as pain, swelling and stiffness in the hands, feet or knees. The spine, back and neck are other targets. The disease can cause quick joint deterioration and disability if allowed to run its natural course.

Significance

• Skin flareups normally occur a few months before the initial onset of joint pain and tend to coincide with increased levels of pain throughout the course of the disease.

The Facts

• Psoriatic arthritis can be minor and only affect a few joints or can expand to five or more, requiring serious medical intervention in the form of medicine or surgery.