Managing Psoriatic Arthritis Foot Pain

You may have heard of psoriasis, a skin condition that causes scaly, red, and inflamed rashes. But did you know it often goes hand in hand with a disease known as psoriatic arthritis?

Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease. However, this condition impacts the joints, typically where ligaments and tendons connect to bone. A foot has 30 joints and 26 bones, making it one of the most common areas affected by psoriatic arthritis.

With over 40 years of experience in podiatry, Dr. David J. Kaplan at FootCare Specialists, Inc. brings the latest treatments for foot issues to people in San Mateo and Half Moon Bay, California. If you have psoriatic arthritis foot pain, here’s how he can help. 

Understanding psoriatic arthritis foot pain

As we mentioned above, psoriatic arthritis usually affects people with psoriasis. However, you can develop joint issues before you experience any symptoms on your skin.

In most cases, people with psoriatic arthritis experience joint stiffness, pain, and swelling that periodically subside. When it involves the feet, symptoms can occur anywhere, especially in the back of the heel and the sole. It can even cause swelling in your toes and changes to the nails.

Foot-related signs of psoriatic arthritis include:

• “Sausage digits” (or dactylitis)
• Achilles tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Bone spur formation
• Dense, pitted, or discolored nails
• Nail beds that lift or separate from the skin
• Swelling in the ball of the foot
• Hammertoes

Psoriatic arthritis can also cause pain in the joints where your toe connects to your feet and lead to enlargement of this joint at the base of your big toe.

Managing psoriatic arthritis foot pain

Dr. Kaplan understands how foot pain can leave you on the sidelines. That’s why he often recommends a combination of strategies to keep psoriatic arthritis symptoms under control, whether or not you have a flare-up.

It all starts with a consultation so Dr. Kaplan can make personalized suggestions to control your joint pain. In some cases, this involves specific medications designed to treat psoriatic arthritis and slow the progression of the disease.

Additional methods for managing psoriatic arthritis foot pain include:

• Reaching and maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting regular exercise to keep muscles strong and joints flexible
• Wearing comfortable shoes with proper foot and ankle support
• Using custom orthotics to ease foot pressure
• Keeping nails trimmed and filed 
• Applying heat or cold to reduce inflammation and swelling
• Soaking feet for short periods with Epsom salts
• Limiting alcohol use and quitting smoking
• Giving your feet plenty of breaks

If you have painful flare-ups, Dr. Kaplan could also suggest corticosteroid injections to ease swelling in the affected joint.

You don’t have to let psoriatic arthritis foot pain slow you down. Partnering with an expert like Dr. Kaplan ensures you have the tools to manage your condition.

Do you have psoriatic arthritis foot pain? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kaplan at FootCare Specialists, Inc. by calling or requesting a visit online today.