Psoriatic Arthritis

Expert diagnosis and personalized treatment at Arthritis Care of Los Angeles.

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects some people who have psoriasis, a condition that causes red, scaly patches on the skin. PsA causes joint pain, stiffness, and swelling that can range from mild to severe. It can affect any joint in the body and may involve the fingers, toes, spine, and places where tendons attach to bone. In some cases, joint symptoms appear before skin symptoms. Without treatment, PsA can cause permanent joint damage, making early detection and treatment essential.

Common Symptoms

Joint pain, swelling, and warmth
Sausage-like swelling of fingers or toes (dactylitis)
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Pain at tendon and ligament attachment points (enthesitis)
Nail changes — pitting, crumbling, or separation from the nail bed
Red, scaly skin patches (psoriasis)
Lower back pain or stiffness (if spine is affected)
Fatigue
Eye inflammation (uveitis) causing redness and pain

Experiencing these symptoms? Get expert care today.

How is Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves physical examination, detailed medical history, blood tests, and imaging. There is no single test for PsA, so diagnosis relies on identifying characteristic patterns of joint involvement, skin changes, and nail changes. Blood tests help rule out RA and other conditions. X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound can detect joint inflammation and early damage. Dr. Forouzesh has extensive experience identifying PsA even in patients without obvious skin symptoms.

Treatment Options

DMARDs

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs like methotrexate or leflunomide to slow disease progression and prevent joint damage.

Biologic Therapies

TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors, or IL-23 inhibitors that target specific immune pathways driving both joint and skin inflammation.

JAK Inhibitors

Oral targeted therapies that block inflammatory pathways inside cells, effective for both joint and skin symptoms.

NSAIDs

Anti-inflammatory medications for mild symptoms or as an add-on to other treatments for pain relief.

Joint Injections

Corticosteroid injections for individual joints that are particularly painful or swollen.

Key Statistics

30%

Of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis

Source: National Psoriasis Foundation

2.4 Million

Americans affected by psoriatic arthritis

Source: Arthritis Foundation

30-50

Most common age of onset (years)

Source: American College of Rheumatology

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. About 15% of people develop joint symptoms before skin symptoms appear. Some patients have very mild skin involvement that may go unnoticed. A thorough evaluation can still identify PsA based on joint patterns and other findings.

No, they are different diseases. PsA is associated with psoriasis and tends to cause asymmetric joint involvement, dactylitis, enthesitis, and nail changes. RA typically causes symmetric joint involvement and is associated with different blood markers. Treatment approaches overlap but have important differences.

With proper treatment, most people with PsA can maintain an active, productive life. Early treatment is important to prevent joint damage. Your treatment plan will be tailored to address both skin and joint symptoms.

While no specific diet cures PsA, an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation. Maintaining a healthy weight is particularly important as excess weight increases joint stress.

Ready to Get Expert Care?

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Solomon Forouzesh, MD, FACP, FACR — a board-certified rheumatologist with 50++ years of expertise in arthritis and autoimmune diseases.

Call (310) 204-6811

Culver City Office

9808 Venice Blvd, Suite 604

Culver City, CA 90232

(310) 204-6811

Encino Office

5400 Balboa Blvd, Suite 103

Encino, CA 91316

(310) 204-6811