Advertisement

All about psoriatic arthritis

All about psoriatic arthritis

There are many joint problems which are debilitating and may cause limitations in performing your functional tasks. One of such joint problems is psoriatic arthritis.

 The condition usually affects individuals who have a skin defect known as psoriasis. Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition which results in patches of thick skin on the body.

Various risk factors may dispose you to acquire the condition. Symptoms may include swelling and pain in affected joints.

Individuals in their middle ages are most commonly affected, although it may affect individuals of all age groups. The condition also affects both men and women. 

Some individuals may develop the condition by having the skin defect first, while others may have the condition first before the skin defect appears.

Types of psoriatic arthritis

 It tends to affect some groups of joints such as the ends of the fingers and toes, joints of the spine (back bone), knees, hips, fingers, feet, hands, neck, backbone, etc.

 In some individuals the condition may be mild but incapacitating. It may affect both sides of the body such as both knee or hip joints or may affect only a few joints.

For example one knee joint or fingers of only one hand etc. In some cases the condition may cause permanent damage and deformities to the affected joints.

What are the risk factors?

  The exact cause of the condition is not easily identified however, it may be as a result of a combination of different risk factors such as genetic (inherited), environmental and immune system factors.

The severity of the condition varies from one individual to the other.

   Some individuals who develop this condition already have family members with the condition or with the skin defect. Hence it’s more likely to develop the condition if someone in your family has ever developed the condition.

  The immune system which protects your body from diseases may suddenly attack your body. The cause of this abnormal reaction is unknown.

A few or many joints in your body may suffer from this attack and the condition develops as a result.

  Another risk factor for the condition is environmental factors. When you are exposed to some infections it may predispose you to the condition.

The skin defect –psoriasis – may develop in areas where there are skin abrasions.

What are the symptoms?

Individuals are affected in a variety of ways by the condition. In some individuals, the onset may be gradual and symptoms may be mild where as others may have a more rapid onset with severe symptoms.  

You may have symptoms such as the presence of scaly patches of skin, stiffness in affected joints (one or more) resulting in difficulty in movement, discomfort or pain and swelling of the involved joints.

Other symptoms include nail abnormalities such as thick or discoloured fingernails or toenails.

These symptoms may appear, become worse or disappear for a while.

Some individuals have difficulty moving freely when they wake up in the morning.

This may last for a few minutes before the affected joints become less stiff.

The stiffness experienced by some individuals is more severe as compared to the pain or discomfort they may feel. 

 Swelling may also occur in areas around the heel cord (Achilles tendon).

You may also have an entire finger or toe swollen and sometimes the hands or feet.

Some individuals may have problems with the eyes which may become painful.

How is it diagnosed?

You may have to undergo tests as well as physical examinations to confirm diagnosis. Your medical history and family history will also be taken. 

X-rays may be conducted to examine affected joints and also to rule out the presence of other diseases.

The x-rays will identify the changes or damages in the affected joints. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may also be conducted to identify changes which may not be easily shown on the X-rays. 

 

The writer is a Senior Physiotherapist at the 37 Military Hospital

 panierus@live .com

Connect With Us : 0242202447 | 0551484843 | 0266361755 | 059 199 7513 |