Joint Stiffness and Swelling
You may have already heard of several types of joint arthritis – including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and septic arthritis, etc. A similar joint condition that commonly affects the people with psoriasis is called psoriatic arthritis. According to a recent study, 1 out of 20 people who have psoriasis may develop this joint condition in later stages.
Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by sore, stiff joints that cause pain. You may feel intense pain when you sit for long periods or wake up in the morning. This type of arthritis is more prevalent in post-menopausal women and older men. In most cases, it usually strikes years after the development of skin psoriasis. However, some cases have been reported to have joint inflammation alongside the skin patches and even before the appearance of any skin symptom.
Besides joint pain, some other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include tenderness, tendon swelling, swollen fingers or toes, nail changes, reduced mobility due to pain, and cracking sounds while moving the affected joint. Early diagnosis and treatment can reverse joint damage and help restore joint movement.