Written by Kimberly Holland
Medically Reviewed by The Healthline Medical Review Team on December 7, 2015
Is It OA? Psoriatic Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis
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There are over 100 different forms of arthritis and related diseases. Each can cause pain in its own way. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two of the most common forms.
PsA has many of the same symptoms as OA, which is an age-related type of degenerative arthritis. PsA can often relate back to an earlier psoriasis diagnosis.

Keep reading to learn more about these two conditions.
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases cause your body to mistakenly attack its own cells. In other words, your immune system is falsely on high alert and on the offensive at all times.
PsA can develop in individuals who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes rapid skin cell build-up. The excess skin cells lead to red patches, which are often covered in whitish-silvery scales.
For most people with PsA, psoriasis will develop first. The arthritis usually develops later. In some cases, arthritis can develop before a skin lesion ever appears. Some cases of PsA are mild and only rarely cause problems. Others can be more severe, even debilitating.
Psoriasis by the Numbers: Facts, Statistics, and You

What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It causes the cartilage inside a joints to break down and wear away. Cartilage is the thin, slippery tissue that surrounds the ends of your bones.
In healthy joints, cartilage helps grease the movement of the joint and absorbs the shock of impact when you move. In individuals with OA, the layers of your cartilage begin to break down and disappear. Without cartilage, your bones will begin to rub against each other. This can cause permanent damage to the joints and to the bones as well.
What Are the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis and Osteoarthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis share some similar symptoms, but they also have key differences.
Tips for Identifying Psoriatic Arthritis
Symptoms of PsA are often confused for symptoms of OA or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The key to distinguishing between PsA and the other forms of arthritis is to single out unique characteristics.
Three key symptoms of PsA are:
1. painful swelling : Increased swelling in your hands and feet may ultimately cause deformities and significant joint damage.
2. severe foot pain: PsA may target the area in your joints where tendons and ligaments attach to the bone. This is especially common in your Achilles tendons and the soles of your feet.
3. low back pain : People with PsA are more likely to develop spondylitis. This condition causes painful swelling in the joints of your spine and at the point where your spine meets your pelvis.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect almost any joint. This includes joints rarely affected by other types of arthritis, such as your fingertips, pelvis, and spine. It may affect one side of your body or it may affect the same joint on both sides of your body.
Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are diseases that cycle. In other words, the symptoms of the condition may grow worse and then become less severe. These cycles of more severe symptoms are often followed by periods of inactivity or remission.
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis: The Words You Should Know
Tips for Identifying Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis will most likely impact the joints of your body that move the most. This includes the joints in your hands, feet, knees, and spine.
Osteoarthritis is not a disease that cycles. You will not experience periods of increased symptoms followed by periods of fewer symptoms. Instead, the symptoms of this form of arthritis will grow worse over time. Treatments, lifestyle changes, and weight loss may improve your symptoms, but the disease will slowly progress nonetheless.

How Is Psoriatic Arthritis Treated?
Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis does not have a cure. Instead, doctors focus on treating the symptoms in order to alleviate some of the painful aspects of the condition.
Doctors also work to reduce the damage done to your joints as a result of the arthritis. The type of treatment you use largely depends on the severity of your symptoms.
The three main treatments are:
1. medications : A variety of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be used to reduce inflammation and pain. Other types of medicine can help suppress your body’s immune system.
2. steroid injections: For quick relief, a steroid injection directly into the joint can reduce inflammation.
3. joint replacement: If PsA causes severe damage to a joint, your doctor may recommend replacing the joint entirely to ease the symptoms.
How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?
Like PsA, OA does not have a cure. Instead, treatment aims to reduce the symptoms of the condition.
Treatment plans for OA might include one or more of the following:

1. medications : Both OTC and prescription medicines can ease the signs and symptoms of OA. The more severe your symptoms are, the stronger your medicine needs may be.
2. lifestyle treatments: People who frequently exercise will have an easier time maintaining the health of their joints. Exercise helps you control your overall body weight, which can alleviate stress on the joints in your knees and hips.
3. complementary therapies: Physical therapy, occupation therapy, and assistance devices, such as braces, can help you cope with the changes in abilities as OA progresses.
4. injections: Certain injectable treatments, including corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid, can help reduce inflammation, increase mobility, and improve symptoms.
5. surgery: For badly damaged joints, surgery may be necessary to replace the joint with an artificial option.
What Are the Risk Factors for Psoriatic Arthritis?
The most common risk factors for PsA include:
psoriasis: If you have psoriasis, your risk for developing PsA is higher. Not everyone with psoriasis will develop the condition.
genes: People with a family history of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis have an increased risk.
age: This form of arthritis can develop at any age, but it is most commonly diagnosed in people ages 30 to 50.
What Are the Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis?
These risk factors increase your risk for developing OA:
genes: Certain genetic mutations may increase your odds of developing OA. If a family member has the disease it’s possible you will develop it as well.
age: This form of arthritis is most common in people 65 and older.
gender: Women are more likely to develop OA.
weight: Individuals who are overweight or obese have a higher risk because of the extra strain on their joints.
joint deformity: If your joints were injured or are not properly formed, your risk increases.
smoking: Smokers have a higher risk of having more severe pain. Smokers also are more likely to have a greater degree of cartilage damage than nonsmokers.
other diseases: In some cases, OA may be the result of another condition. For example, people with RA may end up developing OA. Gout can also increase your risk.
When You Should See a Doctor
If you have psoriasis, stay alert for symptoms of PsA. Be sure to point out any suspicious or unusual symptoms to your doctor when they begin occurring. The sooner you detect the symptoms and alert your doctor, the sooner you can begin treatment. This may help reduce damage to your joints and subsequently improve your quality of life for years to come. PsA can cause severe damage if left untreated.
If you suspect your chronic joint pain is the result of OA, make an appointment to see your doctor if the pain and symptoms do not go away after several weeks. It’s always possible that the pain is the result of an overstressed joint, which can be caused by physical activity. If the pain does not go away, you may have a condition like OA, or you may have damaged the joint and need additional care to help heal it. www.greenharrisburg..co.ke