Psoriatic Arthritis

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis — a condition that features red patches of skin topped with silvery scales. Most people develop psoriasis first and are later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, but the joint problems can sometimes begin before skin lesions appear.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can include:

- pain and stiffness in and around your joints

- swollen fingers or toes (dactylitis), caused by inflammation both in joints and tendons

- buttock pain, a stiff back or a stiff neck, which is caused by inflammation in your spine (spondylitis)

- pain and swelling in your heels, caused by inflammation where the Achilles tendon attaches to the bone

- pain in other areas where tendons attach to bone (enthesitis), such as your knee, hip and chest

- pitting, discoloration and thickening of your nails

- fatigue, which can be caused by the activity of the disease or the emotional effects of living with a long-term condition.