Though psoriatic arthritis can’t be cured, you can manage the symptoms with a combination of treatment options. However, it can be tricky to find which ones are right for you. There are several factors to consider but it can be done if you know what you’re dealing with and what to talk to your doctor about.
Doctors have found that treating psoriatic arthritis effectively requires a personalized approach. That approach must consider the severity of your symptoms while balancing two separate issues. Psoriatic arthritis affects both your joints and your skin but that doesn’t mean treatment can easily keep both problems under control. In fact, a couple of the treatment options that help with joint pain can make your skin problems worse. This is why your treatment plan will likely include a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and complementary therapies.
Any treatment program you start is geared toward slowing the disease’s progression, relieving your symptoms, protecting your joints, and keeping your skin healthy.
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Medications are an essential part of your treatment program. Though there are side effects, they can address joint pain or skin issues. For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce pain and inflammation for those who have mild psoriatic arthritis. However, they can irritate your stomach and damage your liver.
Biologic agents are great for targeting specific pathways in the immune system but can increase your risk of getting infections. While conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can slow the progression of your condition, they can increase your risk of heart-related issues. Finally, corticosteroids can lower inflammation and topical ointments can help with skin plaques from psoriasis.
Another option for dealing with psoriatic arthritis is working with physical and occupational therapists. A physical therapist can teach you techniques that will help you to improve your strength and range of motion.
On the other hand, an occupational therapist can help you carry out your daily tasks without exacerbating your pain. Since doctors recommend being physically active with psoriatic arthritis, these lessons can help you do that.
If your condition has progressed to the point where some joints are damaged, your doctor might recommend joint replacement surgery. This is usually done for the hip, knee, or shoulder as those joints are most likely to experience the wear and tear that comes from everyday use. The replacement can be metal, plastic, or ceramic and you’ll likely need physical therapy to learn how to use the joint well.
When discussing treatment with your doctor, there are a few key areas you need to discuss. This ensures that you and the doctor are on the same page. While this list of questions won’t be exhaustive, it’s a good place to start.
It’s typically not easy to treat psoriatic arthritis because it’s like treating two different conditions at once. Fortunately, if you work with your doctor, you can start a treatment program that combines several areas that will ease your symptoms. If you feel that only certain issues are getting better while others are getting worse, talk to your doctor immediately.
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