Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment in Philadelphia, PA

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints and where tendons and ligaments connect to your bone.

Often related, psoriasis causes patches of scaly, red, or white skin. However, psoriatic arthritis sets off joint swelling and pain that can lead to permanent damage. These conditions may occur together, or PsA may occur on its own. Psoriatic arthritis affects about 30 percent of people with psoriasis.

PsA is a disease that you will likely have to deal with throughout the rest of your life, so mental and physical help is important to maintain your quality of life.

The Arthritis Group provides treatment for a variety of rheumatic conditions including psoriatic arthritis. If you have been diagnosed or are seeking a diagnosis, please call (215) 725-7400 to schedule an appointment at our arthritis treatment center in Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, or Langhorne to find the treatment option best for you.

Who is at Risk for Psoriatic Arthritis?

People who are at risk for psoriatic arthritis include but are not limited to:

• May begin at any age, including children
• Often appears between ages 30 and 50
• Often starts about 10 years after psoriasis develops
• May occur without psoriasis first
• You may have few skin lesions but many joints affected by arthritis
• May also be related to genetics, a gene that may create a predisposition to psoriasis
• May develop PsA in a joint after an injury

What are the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis?

According to psoriasis.org, psoriatic arthritis can develop slowly, with mild symptoms, or it can develop quickly and severely.

If you have psoriatic arthritis, you may experience:

• Fatigue or tiredness, especially in the morning
• Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
• Stiffness, pain, throbbing, or swelling in joints
• Swollen fingers and toes
• Reduced range of motion
• Nail changes
• Redness and pain of the eye

If you have any of the above symptoms, it is important to talk to the Arthritis Group. The sooner we can help diagnose the issue, the sooner you can get relief. You don’t have to deal with these issues on your own.

How Will I Know if I have Psoriatic Arthritis?

In order for you to be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, you will be observed by the Arthritis Group. There is no dialogistic test for PsA, so you will work closely together to address your concerns and your medical history.

You may have to rule out other conditions including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Reactive arthritis

Through a physical exam, blood test, MRI, or x-ray, the Arthritis Group will talk with you about psoriatic arthritis through a process of elimination. Our providers are skilled to help and can help properly distinguish the disease.

How Does the arthritis group Treat Psoriatic Arthritis?

Your provider or rheumatologist will identify the problem and create an individualized treatment program to help you improve your quality of life.

Often, psoriatic arthritis treatment includes:

• Oral medications to reduce inflammation
• Biologic therapies that are injected or infused
• Targeting specific parts of your immune system to slow joint damage
• Assessing your mental health and providing therapy if needed

Why Choose Us?

Living with psoriatic arthritis can be frustrating, as your symptoms may be misunderstood or misdiagnosed. You may have conflicting information or a lack of treatment for your symptoms.

We know that you deserve to understand your disease and how it may impact your life. We have highly-trained specialists with PsA knowledge and experience.