Shoulder affliction due to psoriatic arthritis: Explanation, treatments, and further details
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects joints, tendons, and ligaments, causing discomfort and pain. This condition shares a strong link with psoriasis, a skin condition marked by red, scaly patches.
The Cause
PsA is caused by an abnormal immune system response, where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, including joints and the sites where tendons and ligaments connect to bone. This immune-mediated inflammation leads to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.
The underlying cause involves dysregulation of immune cells, particularly T helper 17 (Th17) cells, which produce inflammatory cytokines like IL-17 and IL-23 that drive inflammation in both the skin and joints.
The Link Between Psoriasis and PsA
Approximately 30% of people with psoriasis develop PsA, often years after skin symptoms begin. In some cases, PsA may develop first or occur without noticeable psoriasis. Both diseases share an immune-mediated inflammatory pathway involving the IL-23/Th17 axis. Psoriasis is characterized by skin plaques caused by keratinocyte overproliferation, while PsA is characterized by joint inflammation and damage.
Symptoms and Treatment
PsA can affect any joint in the body, with the fingers, wrists, knees, and ankles being the most common locations. Symptoms may include difficulty bending, stiff neck, tenderness and swelling at the points where tendons and ligaments connect with bones (enthesitis), and pain in the shoulder, which may be located in the side or back if the glenohumeral joint is affected or on top of the shoulder if the acromioclavicular joint is affected.
To reduce pain and inflammation, people can achieve and maintain a moderate weight, quit smoking, reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption, eat a range of healthy foods with known anti-inflammatory properties, and change their sleeping positions to support their shoulders during the night. When the shoulder is inflamed and sore, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) recommends icing it for around 20 minutes, three times per day and resting the arm until the swelling subsides.
If symptoms are severe, doctors may prescribe disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) which work by suppressing the immune system and can reduce inflammation. Steroid use in PsA should be minimal, as tapering off steroids can cause psoriasis flare-ups.
PsA can also affect the eyes, leading to blurred vision, eye pain, redness, and potential vision loss (uveitis). If someone's symptoms are very severe, doctors may recommend surgery to remove a part, or all, of the damaged bones or replace the shoulder joints.
Early warning signs of PsA include joint pain or stiffness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, changes in the appearance of the nails, foot pain, swollen fingers or toes, digestive issues, and aching more in the mornings. Obesity, smoking, the severity of psoriasis (particularly if it is on the scalp or buttocks), injury or trauma to the area, and stress are known risk factors for PsA.
In conclusion, psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are closely connected through their autoimmune inflammatory cause, with psoriasis often serving as a warning sign for potential joint disease later on. It is essential to consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect you may have PsA, as early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve outcomes.
- Other joint pain apart from shoulder pain can also be a symptom of psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a condition that shares a strong link with psoriasis, a skin condition.
- A person with a history of psoriasis may not necessarily develop PsA, but it is established that about 30% of psoriasis patients do develop this autoimmune disease eventually.
- The dysregulation of immune cells, specifically T helper 17 (Th17) cells, is naive science's current understanding of the cause behind PsA.
- Treaters of PsA should be mindful of the established link between PsA and other chronic diseases, such as psoriasis, heart disease (HST), and neurological disorders, when formulating a treatment plan.
- Stemming from the inflammatory autoimmune response, psoriatic arthritis can even lead to other conditions like psa (prostate specific antigen) increases, arthritis, and mental-health issues like depression and anxiety.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, managing weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding excessive alcohol consumption can help lessen the impact of psoriatic arthritis.
- Skin-care routines should include careful self-examination to spot symptoms like red, scaly patches, which may serve as an early warning sign for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.
- In more severe cases, when other treatments fail, sports may need to be temporarily put on hold due to the impact on joint pain and inflammation.
- Given the seemingly unrelated nature of sports and sports-betting, it is crucial to remember that sports injuries can potentially lead to PsA, given a history of psoriasis.
- In some regions, addressing both the physical health impacts of psoriatic arthritis and the mental stress that comes with chronic diseases has become a focus in medical-conditions and mental-health treatments.
- As the science of immunology advances and the understanding of PsA deepens, treatment options and preventive measures for psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are expected to continue improving, providing hope for those affected by these conditions.
