psoriatic arthropathy/arthritis treatments
Psoriatic arthritis is an arthritic joint disease associated with psoriasis sufferers. Treatment offered for psoriatic arthropathy can assist with pain relief, reduction in swelling and keeping joints working properly. Early diagnosis and therefore early treatment can slow the disease and help maintain function and range of movement. Treatments offered will be determined by the type of psoriatic arthritis and its severity. Keeping the psoriasis skin condition under control will also assist in the management of psoriatic arthritis.
Treatment programs should be tailored to the individual, in order to manage their symptoms effectively. Psoriatic arthritis can be treated in much the same way psoriasis and arthritis are treated individually. The skin is treated with topical and oral treatments, and the arthritis can be treated using oral drugs and medications.
Types of treatment
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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as gold salts and sulfasalazine can be used to control the pain and swelling. Some drugs used to treat one set of symptoms can aggravate another set of symptoms and so it is advisable to treat both conditions in association with your GP. Etretinate, a vitamin A derivative, methotrexate, and ultraviolet light therapy are used successfully to treat psoriatic arthritis. Specialised treatment by a rheumatologist and or a dermatologist may be considered by your GP. Whilst psoriatic arthritis is not wholly rheumatic in nature a rheumatologist may be able to suggest the best course of treatment. |
Simple treatments to help relieve your symptoms include:
- heat treatment or warm water soaks to ease joint stiffness
- ice to reduce swelling
- splinting the affected joint and resting it if you have a severe flare-up
- electrotherapy, for example TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
- relaxation techniques
Your GP may suggest the following medicines to help your symptoms:
- paracetamol as a painkiller
- anti-inflammatory medicines
- disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
- biologic medicines
Surgery
In some cases, if joints are severely damaged and medicines have not been successful, surgery may be recommend to reduce pain and discomfort:
- a hip or knee replacement
- synovectomy to remove the lining of an inflamed joint
- removal or repair of severely inflamed tendons
- surgery to fuse a joint to make it more stable
Alternative treatment
Food allergies/intolerances are believed to play a role in psoriatic arthritis. Identification and elimination of food allergens from the diet can be helpful. Constitutional homeopathy can work deeply and effectively with this condition, if the proper prescription is given.
Acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, Western herbal medicine, and nutritional supplements can all assist in managing psoriatic arthritis symptoms.
Exercise
To help reduce pain and stiffness it is important to follow a continuous exercise programme to prevent the muscles around your joints becoming weak and stiff which in turn will alleviate pain:
- strengthen the muscles around your joint
- motion exercises to maintain joint motion/flexibility
- aerobic exercise ie walking, swimming and cycling
You should seek guidance from your doctor with regards to the right exercise programme/balance between rest and exercise to suit your needs.
Diet
Eat a balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. If you are overweight it would be advisable to lose any excess weight to reduce the strain on your joints thus leading to reduced swelling.
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It is always advisable to consult your doctor prior to taking up any treatment/exercise.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 20 January 2011
Next Review Date: 20 January 2013
