Psoriatic Arthritis: Tips To Manage Foot Problems Caused By PsA

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is inflammatory arthritis that affects individuals with psoriasis. Psoriasis is a disease that causes red patches of skin with silvery scales. foot problems

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, 30% of individuals with psoriasis develop PsA. PsA causes discomfort, swelling, and tenderness in your joints.

PsA shares many symptoms with other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but it also has distinctive hallmarks. These hallmarks include issues in the feet, toes, and toenails.

What Kinds of Foot Problems Can PsA Cause?

PsA can cause various issues in the feet, including pain and swelling in the toes, ankles, heels, and soles.

Swelling of the toes

A typical characteristic of PsA in your feet is the swelling of one or more toes. This disorder is known as dactylitis of the toes. The swelling tends to impact your entire toe rather than a single joint. Tenosynovitis, or inflammation of the tendon sheath, is mainly answerable for the swelling.

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Other swellings

Swelling is a characteristic symptom of PsA. You may see swelling in the toes, ankles, or heels. Swelling is occasionally accompanied by color changes, especially a red or purple tint development. Swollen locations may be warm to the touch and incredibly tender.

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Heel pain

Individuals with PsA often develop a disorder known as enthesitis. This refers to inflammation at a juncture where tendons and ligaments connect with bone. In individuals with PsA, enthesitis often impacts the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon is the tough band joining your heel to your calf muscles.

You may experience tenderness and discomfort at the back of your heel or notice swelling in your ankle. You may also detect stiffness in your ankle in the morning or after rest periods.

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Pain on the soles of the feet

Enthesitis can also cause discomfort in the soles of your feet. The plantar fascia is a sheet of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot that connects your heel to the front of your foot. It runs along the bottom of your feet.

If you have discomfort and tenderness at the bottom of your heel, particularly after waking, this may be the reason.

Inflammation of this connective tissue is also known as plantar fasciitis. It’s a typical condition that regularly affects individuals with and without PsA.

How Are These Foot Problems Treated?

Treating PsA is meant to relieve pain and stop permanent injury to the bones. Without treatment, the feet can become permanently injured. Many drugs can help decrease inflammation and protect your joints, including those in your feet.

PsA symptoms in the feet are controlled with oral medications, biologics, and NSAIDs based on the harshness of symptoms. These medications treat inflammation throughout the body, including the feet and heels.

For painful flare-ups in the feet, however, you may want to consider a more localized approach, such as:

Cortisone injections: Cortisone injections can be given straight into your heels, the soles of your feet, or a single inflamed toe. They can decrease inflammation and treat painful flare-ups.
Ice: Ice can also help decrease inflammation in the joints of the feet. Roll your foot on a frozen water bottle wrapped in a towel or use an ice pack on the affected area for 20 minutes. You can repeat the process two to four times a day.
Medicated foot powders: Cracks in your nails or skin can provide an opening for infections that can activate PsA flare-ups. A medicated foot powder can help control moisture while combating fungus and bacteria.

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Conclusion

PsA can lead to a range of painful symptoms in your feet. Several medicines can help control PsA symptoms. You can also take steps at home to relieve pain and reduce your flare-up risk.

By Ty McDuffey | Published April 25, 2022