Psoriatic arthritis, otherwise known as PsA, is an inflammatory disease that affects joints and the connective tissues of tendons and ligaments. Although PsA affects nearly 30% of people with psoriasis today, it can also affect some who don’t even have psoriasis. Some people develop it after an injury. Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain, swelling and fatigue in those who suffer from it.
Early Diagnosis
Early diagnosis and treatment are important. Without treatment, many sufferers can go on to experience permanent joint damage that can affect long-term function and overall quality of life.
PsA can develop slowly or quickly depending on the person. Some symptoms include:
- Fatigue
- Morning stiffness
- Pain and throbbing in joints
- Reduction in range of motion
- Swelling in fingers and toes
- Nail changes
- Eye redness and pain
Although there is no “cure”, there are a number of treatments that can address progression, reduce pain and protect the joints.
Initial Diagnosis
A diagnosis will initially be made by your physician’s observations while considering your medical history. Your physician may also call for further diagnostics in the form of a blood test, an MRI or X-rays of the affected joints. Other diagnostic tests are currently being studied to enable easier diagnosis and quicker treatment.
What Imaging Tests Reveal
Imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs often aren’t helpful at the early stages of psoriatic arthritis, however, as the disease progresses, imaging will enable your doctor to see what changes are taking place in your joints and determine whether these are characteristic of PsA.
X-rays will often help pinpoint any changes that have occurred in the joints that are characteristic of PsA. An MRI will produce detailed images of all hard and soft tissues and can be used to see changes in the affected ligaments and tendons.
Should You Seek the Advice of a Rheumatologist?
For those who are experiencing joint pain, a rheumatologist is a specialist who deals with arthritis and can offer personalized support and suggest proper treatment. A rheumatologist can then make a distinction in the type of arthritis that you may be suffering from.
In the case of suspected rheumatoid arthritis, your doctor will test for an antibody that signals RA instead of PsA. Your doctor will also ensure that your symptoms are indicative of PsA and not gout. It is important to pinpoint between the different forms of arthritis because they are treated with different medications.
Treatment for PsA
Treatments for psoriatic arthritis can include medications, steroid injections and joint surgery. Medications that are available for treatment include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both over-the-counter and prescription
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs that slow down the progression of the disease
- Immunosuppressants that can tame an overactive immune system
- Biologic agents, or biologic response modifiers which also targets the immune system that has triggered inflammation
- Oral medications such as Apremilast which decreases the enzyme response that controls inflammation.
At Vital Imaging, we are dedicated to providing exceptional care for all our patients. If your doctor has called for imaging to diagnose your PsA symptoms or if you have questions, call us at (305) 596-9992.