Psoriatic arthritis

Complications

Date updated: December 13, 2008
Content provided by MayoClinic.com

Psoriatic arthritis can be painful and debilitating, and can damage your joints, even with treatment. Some types of psoriatic arthritis can cause additional difficulties, including:

• Swollen fingers and toes (dactylitis). Psoriatic arthritis can cause a painful, sausage-like swelling of your fingers and toes. Swollen toes are a particular problem because they can make it hard to find shoes that fit properly. A podiatrist - a doctor who specializes in the feet - may be able to provide help if you have psoriatic arthritis in your toes or ankles. You may also develop swelling in your hands and feet that isn't limited to your joints and that may develop before joint symptoms do.
• Foot pain. Another condition associated with psoriatic arthritis is enthesopathy, which causes pain at the point where tendons and ligaments attach to your bones - especially at the back of your heel (Achilles tendinitis) or in the sole of your foot (plantar fasciitis).
• Back and neck pain. Some people develop a condition called spondylitis as a result of psoriatic arthritis. Spondylitis mainly causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of your spine and the joints between your spine and pelvis.