Arthritis refers to any breakdown of the articular cartilage.Typically, a joint is made up of two smooth, cartilaginous surfaces that cooperate and slide over each other.Arthritis results when these smooth surfaces become irregular with the breakdown of cartilage.This results in surfaces that don’t fit together well and are essentially ‘worn out’.
Psoriatic arthritis is inflammation and swelling of the inner surface of the knuckles.Because inflammation stretches the tissue that keeps the joint strong, the joint can become loose or curved.In addition, smooth bone ends wear away and the bone may lose its normal shape.Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and it affects gender equality.
Psoriasis is a skin condition in which people’s skin becomes dry, red and flaky. Up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis, according to the national psoriasis foundation.
Arthritis can affect the health of the hands and fingers.The most common types of arthritis in the hands are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis (after injury) and rheumatoid arthritis.Other causes of hand arthritis are infections, gout and psoriasis.
Symptoms and signs
Changes in psoriatic arthritis joints are similar to those in rheumatoid arthritis.These symptoms include:
- red and swollen joints
- joints, sometimes feel warm
- reduce joint movement and stiff – feeling the joints
In this case, the hands may not be affected in the same way.Since most types of arthritis have symptoms of stiffness, swelling and pain, it’s difficult to separate psoriatic arthritis from other types of arthritis.In psoriatic arthritis, swelling usually affects the entire finger, but more often affects the middle joint (figure 2).Joints at the end of the finger may deform (figure 3).The rest of the hand and wrist is usually unaffected.
treatment
The diagnosis
Psoriatic arthritis is suspected when people develop psoriasis and joint problems.Doctors mainly look at hands, touch hands and look at x-rays.X-rays may show loss of normal bone shape, mainly in the terminal joint.X-rays can also show swelling around the bones, and the space between the bones can become narrow.Bones may fuse together at the joints.There is no special blood test to test for arthritis.A piece of skin can be removed to help find out if someone has psoriasis.
treatment
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but there are medications that can help reduce swelling, redness and pain to keep the hand functioning as well as possible.Different medical experts often work together to help treat the arthritis, including doctors and therapists.
Surgery may help treat psoriatic arthritis.The type of surgery depends on issues of use and pain.The hand surgeon will help you guide the best treatment for your particular problem.