Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition that can affect the joints, spine, tendons, nails, and skin. It often develops in people with psoriasis, but joint symptoms may appear before or without obvious skin changes.
PACT Rheumatology provides psoriatic arthritis treatment in Connecticut for patients who need diagnosis, medication management, biologic therapy, and ongoing rheumatology care.
Accepting New Patients | Hamden, Guilford, and Orange, CT
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease linked to psoriasis. It occurs when immune system activity causes inflammation in the joints, tendons, ligaments, spine, or areas where tissue connects to bone.
Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease, and some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that about 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis can look different from person to person, which is why evaluation by a rheumatologist is important when joint symptoms appear.
Psoriatic arthritis may involve joint swelling, skin symptoms, nail changes, tendon pain, or back stiffness. Some patients have active psoriasis patches, while others have mild or less visible skin findings.
Common signs may include:
Dactylitis refers to swelling of an entire finger or toe. Enthesitis refers to inflammation where tendons or ligaments attach to bone, often near the heel, elbow, or bottom of the foot.
Psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both inflammatory conditions, but they often show different patterns.
Psoriatic arthritis may affect joints unevenly, involve the spine, affect the joints closest to the fingernails, or appear alongside psoriasis and nail changes.
Rheumatoid arthritis more often causes symmetrical joint involvement, especially in the hands, wrists, and feet. It may also be associated with blood tests such as rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibody tests.
Correct diagnosis matters because treatment depends on the type of inflammatory arthritis, symptoms, labs, imaging, and the areas of the body involved.
The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is not fully understood. It is believed to develop through a combination of immune system activity, genetics, and environmental triggers.
Common risk factors may include:
Having psoriasis does not mean you will develop psoriatic arthritis, but new joint pain should be evaluated.
Psoriatic arthritis diagnosis is based on symptoms, physical exam findings, medical history, imaging, and lab testing when needed.
Your provider may review:
PACT Rheumatology evaluates both joint and skin-related clues to determine whether psoriatic arthritis may be involved.
Treatment depends on symptom severity, joints involved, skin findings, prior medications, and disease activity.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to reduce pain and inflammation in mild cases when appropriate.
DMARDs may be recommended to reduce inflammation and slow disease progression in patients with more persistent symptoms.
Biologic medications target specific immune pathways involved in inflammation. They may be used for moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis or when other treatments are not enough.
JAK inhibitors are oral targeted medications that may be considered for certain patients based on symptoms, treatment history, and overall health.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect both skin and joints. PACT can coordinate with dermatology or other specialists through the broader network when needed.
Follow-up visits and lab work may be used to monitor disease activity, medication response, and possible side effects.
PACT Rheumatology evaluates how psoriasis, nail changes, joint pain, tendon pain, and spine symptoms may fit together.
Biologic therapy may be an important treatment option for moderate-to-severe psoriatic arthritis. PACT can review whether this approach fits your diagnosis and treatment history.
Dr. Beth Valashinas, D.O., FACR, provides specialty care for inflammatory arthritis and autoimmune rheumatic conditions.
If skin symptoms, eye symptoms, or other health concerns need additional care, PACT Rheumatology can coordinate with related specialists when appropriate.
Patients can access psoriatic arthritis care in Hamden, Guilford, and Orange, with service to nearby communities across Connecticut.
If you have psoriasis and new joint pain, swelling, nail changes, or tendon pain, a rheumatology evaluation may be appropriate.
Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease linked to psoriasis. It can cause joint pain, swelling, stiffness, tendon pain, spine symptoms, nail changes, and fatigue.
Psoriatic arthritis may cause swollen joints, sausage-like swelling of fingers or toes, heel pain, back stiffness, nail pitting, and psoriasis patches. Symptoms may vary from person to person.
Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis and may affect the spine, tendons, nails, and joints unevenly. Rheumatoid arthritis often affects the same joints on both sides of the body, including the hands, wrists, and feet.
Yes. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated disease that causes inflammation in the skin. Some people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis.
The best treatment depends on symptoms, disease severity, skin involvement, joint involvement, and prior treatment response. Options may include NSAIDs, DMARDs, biologic therapy, JAK inhibitors, and ongoing monitoring.
Yes. PACT Rheumatology provides psoriatic arthritis treatment in Connecticut at locations in Hamden, Guilford, and Orange.
PACT, LLC & PACT MSO, LLC
322 East Main Street, Suite 1B
Branford, CT 06405
PACT, LLC & PACT MSO, LLC
322 East Main Street, Suite 1B
Branford, CT 06405
