Psoriatic arthritis: Symptoms
How to recognize psoriatic arthritis
For most people, psoriatic arthritis develops years after psoriasis. Tell your dermatologist if you have psoriasis and any of these signs and symptoms:
A very noticeable swollen finger or toe
Swollen and tender joints
Stiffness when you wake up or sit for hours; stiffness fades as you move
Nails that are pitted
Nail separating from nail bed
Lower back pain
Heel pain
Swelling on the back of your leg above your heel
Psoriatic nails
People who get psoriatic arthritis often see nail pitting (shown here) or a nail separating from the nail bed.
Swollen joint, left knee
One of the first signs of psoriatic arthritis is often a swollen joint, most commonly in a hand, foot, or knee.
Swollen tendon
A swollen and painful Achilles tendon, shown here on the right leg, is often a sign of psoriatic arthritis.
Sausage digit
Psoriatic arthritis can cause a finger or toe to swell dramatically. The swollen finger or toe is called a sausage digit.
Heel pain
Some people who have psoriatic arthritis develop intense heel pain. This pain can make walking difficult.
Joint destruction
In some people, psoriatic arthritis destroys the joints. Early treatment helps prevent this.
Stiff joints
Stiffness is a common symptom. It happens when you wake up or sit still for hours. The stiffness disappears as you move, but it can last 30 to 45 minutes or longer.
Swollen joints
When joints swell, they may feel tender or painful, but not always.
Images (in order of appearance) used with permission of:
The American Academy of Dermatology National Library of Dermatologic Teaching Slides.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;63:733-48.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2008;58:851-64.
J Am Acad Dermatol 2008;58:851-64.
Getty Images
J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;63:733-48.
Getty Images
J Am Acad Dermatol 2010;63:733-48.