Guide To Treating Psoriatic Arthritis

Steroid Injections

A psoriatic arthritis patient may need to be treated with steroid injections when other treatment methods are not effective at managing their disorder. Corticosteroids are synthetic versions of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. These types of steroids decrease the action of the inflammatory processes and calm down the patient's overactive immune system. Because steroids can produce such effects, they are utilized in the treatment of a wide range of conditions related to inflammation and the action of the immune system.

Steroids can be administered orally to treat inflammation that affects multiple parts of the body simultaneously, or it can be injected into a local inflamed area. Because psoriatic arthritis is not known to produce issues in numerous organs and body systems, systemic steroids are not usually needed or used for treatment. Steroids injected directly into the affected joint(s) are preferred over systemic steroids due to fewer adverse side effects.

Joint Replacement Surgery

When an individual who has psoriatic arthritis has been unsuccessful at treating it with other methods or has a joint damaged beyond repair, they may need to undergo joint replacement surgery. This encompasses a group of surgical procedures where a patient's damaged joint is completely removed and replaced with a synthetic joint. This type of procedure is typically one of the very last treatment resorts for patients affected by any form of arthritis because it is a major procedure that carries risks, and the recovery period can take several months to several years. An individual affected by psoriatic arthritis in their knees, hips, and shoulders may need to consider the option of full joint replacement surgery if they have a reduced quality of life due to the side effects of other treatment methods or pain medication cannot control.