Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory disease that affects the joints and surrounding connective tissues. This disease affects an estimated 30% of people with psoriasis, with most diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50.

Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

While being diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis, there are five types with differing symptoms:

  1. Asymmetric PsA
  2. Symmetric PsA
  3. Distal PsA
  4. Spondylitis
  5. Arthritis Mutilans

If you are curious about the symptoms and likelihood of being diagnosed with a form of Psoriatic Arthritis, keep reading further. This article will cover all five variations and the most common symptoms associated with the disease.

1.  Asymmetric PsA

This mild form of psoriatic arthritis accounts for 1 in 3 diagnoses. As the name implies, the symptoms of this type only develop on one side of the body. The most common symptom is swelling and discomfort in the knee, hip, fingers, or toes.

The pain is also typically accompanied by the common symptoms of psoriasis, which are developing thick patches of skin. These patches of skin are often itchy and cause a burning sensation of the skin.

 2. Symmetric PsA

Symmetric Psoriatic Arthritis is the most common form of this disease, affecting nearly 50% of people with this condition. You may develop this inflammatory disease in the knees, hands, feet, or hips.

Along with joint pain, you may develop skin rashes and morning stiffness in the body. While Symmetric PsA can often be mistaken for Rheumatoid Arthritis, you can tell the difference by the significant swelling of the fingers and toes.

3. Distal PsA

This form of Psoriatic Arthritis affects the tips of your fingers and toes, causing discomfort in the hands or feet. You will feel pain in the small joints closest to the nails, causing pain in daily life for many sufferers.

You may also develop changes in how your nails look–with pitting, discoloration, or lifting the nailbed. This form is rare and is often mistaken for osteoarthritis if not diagnosed by an experienced rheumatologist.

4. Spondylitis

Spondylitis is often characterized by persistent back pain and stiffness in the neck. The vertebrae in the back are often inflamed when you have Spondylitis, but it can affect other areas of the body, such as the following:

  • Arms
  • Hips
  • Legs
  • Feet

The back may develop a hunch in severe cases and cause frequent muscle spasms. While there is no cure for Spondylitis, there are various forms of treatment that ease pain and maintain the strength of the back muscles.

5. Arthritis Mutilans

Arthritis Mutilans is a rare disease affecting fewer than 5% of people with Psoriatic Arthritis. However, the symptoms of this disease can be deforming and destructive to the fingers and toes.

The disease causes a loss of function of the fingers and toes, causing bone tissue to disappear. Arthritis Mutilans is also associated with frequent back pain and neck pain, requiring treatment to ease symptoms.

Find Professional Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment Today

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed in this article, you should seek medical help for detection and early treatment. Contact our team at Advanced Rheumatology of Houston today to schedule an appointment.

Give us a call at (281) 766-7886 to get started today.