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Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"

Case study ( 8201 views as of December 22, 2024 )

Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher who has noticed recent swelling and pain in both long fingers as well as several puffy or swollen toes. She has a rash on her elbows that her doctor told her was probably psoriasis.

Trudy is quite concerned as she remembers her grandmother was very crippled with arthritis and she does not want to end up the same way.

Trudy wants to see an arthritis specialist as soon as possible to find out what lifestyle changes she can make and possible treatment options available to her. Trudy could possibly benefit from seeing an endocrinologist, a dermatologist, a physiotherapist and a nutritionist. She may also benefit from an exercise program involving yoga or pilates.

Author: Dr. John Wade

Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"

Case Introduction

How is Psoriatic Arthritis Treated

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Presented by

Dr. Kam Shojania

MD, FRCPC

Rheumatologist

Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis ( 53 engaged.)

Open and print the educational action plan for conversation with your Healthcare provider.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Treatments

Benefit of Pilates in Managing Psoriatic Arthritis

Practitioner help from:

Caroline Farquhar

Pilates Instructor
Understanding Psoriatic Arthritis

Practitioner help from:

Dr. John Watterson

MD, FRCPC

Rheumatologist
Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis and Treatment Options

Practitioner help from:

Dr. John Watterson

MD, FRCPC

Rheumatologist

Treatments

Foods With Anti-inflammatory Qualities To Help Manage Psoriatic Arthritis

Practitioner help from:

Christina Grieve

RD

Registered Dietitian
Biosimilars in the Treatment of Psoriatic Arthritis

Practitioner help from:

Dr. John Watterson

MD, FRCPC

Rheumatologist
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis

Practitioner help from:

Dr. Denice Schwind

Dermatologist

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Conversation based on: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"

Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"

AllieS 09 December 2015

I've recently learned that the cleaner DMSO is sometimes used with topical anti-inflammatory medications to treat arthritis. It seems like a pretty extreme treatment given the strength of the chemical agent and its potential side effects, so under what circumstances would this be advised? Perhaps as a last resort, if Trudy's arthritis develops to the severity of her grandmother's?

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 14 January 2016
  
  It sounds like DMSO is primarily a topical (external) application as a gel, but there are some indications to take it orally when prescribed by a physician. Looks like the more severe side effects tend to be caused by the internal DMSO, and that the external application helps with joint mobility and inflammation. I'm not sure of the use of DMSO with psoriasis.
- K. Michael 14 January 2016
  
  I assume the cleaner would be used topically to treat the arthritis ? Would it be ok on the psoriasis or would it aggravate the skin ? It does sound like an extreme treatment
Dr. Jason Kur MD,FRCP Rheumatologist, Vancouver, BC 24 April 2015 Artus Health Centre

The role of a nurse in that setting may have them do many things for you. Nurses will be involved in administering medications. Some of the medications we use to treat arthritis are given intravenously in the office and a nurse will be the individual that is providing this service.

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- K. Michael 31 August 2015
  
  My aunt suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and gets injections at the doctor's office every 3 months to help with the pain.
Joy 06 April 2015

A Registered Dietician or Nutritionist could help Trudy plan a diet to reduce inflammation.

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- Michelle Kaarto, BScK, CSEP CEP 14 January 2016
  
  A dietitian or nutritionist can help Trudy understand which foods in her diet could be contributing to inflammation, which is what psoriatic arthritis involves. By avoiding these foods, she could get some help in relieving her symptoms to a degree, and perhaps preventing further flare-ups.
- K. Michael 30 September 2015
  
  Would a nutritionist or dietitian be able to help her learn how to avoid foods that might cause a psoriasis flare up ?
Joy 06 April 2015

How does psoriasis relate to arthritis?

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- K. Michael 20 July 2015
  
  If my understanding is correct, they believe psoriasis occurs when you immune system overreacts and causes inflammation on your skin. This can also create inflammation in the joints
T.Brown 26 March 2015

Are all the types of psoriasis associated with each other. ie if you have psoriasis spots (for lack of technical term) are you more likely to get psoriatic arthritis?

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- K. Michael 20 July 2015
  
  I think that all psoriasis is the same - it just depends on severity.
ShirleyG 12 February 2015

My Aunt had psoriasis as a child and was told in her teens to watch for inflammation and swelling in the joints as she got older. She did not have any issues with this until she hit her 50's and now is in constant pain. Is there nothing that a doctor can do to help prevent psoriasis arthritis, as the person gets older ?

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
Ms. Sarah Ware RD Registered Dietitian, North Vancouver, BC 04 February 2015

Some people can benefit by following an anti-inflammatory diet as psoriasis arthritis is an inflammatory condition. A naturopath or dietitian could help Trudy formulate a diet plan that would help reduce her symptoms.

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- T.Brown 26 March 2015
  
  What are the basics of an anti-inflammatory diet that would help with psoriatic arthritis?
Yuan Lew, MSc MBA 03 January 2015

My husband had severe psoriasis as a child. He's in his 40s now and complaining about his knee. I am now wondering if he should get it checked out to rule our psoriatic arthritis.

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
K. Michael 06 December 2014

How would they diagnose psoriatic arthritis ? What is the difference between that and just having both arthritis and psoriasis?

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
- Bernadette van der Boom-Bebb 04 February 2015
  
  @Kimberley, a doctor can make the diagnosis of psoriasis by looking at the affected skin. A sample of the skin can also be sent to a laboratory for further analysis. Psoriasis is generally a skin condition only, caused by an inflammatory response. Psoriatic Arthritis occurs at the joints and left untreated can cause deformations and subsequent limitations to movement of those joints. A rheumatologist would be able to provide a more comprehensive definition of both.
Yuan Lew, MSc MBA 26 November 2014

Psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating. It is good that Trudy is going to get help to manage her arthritis associated with psoriasis.

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"
K. Michael 26 November 2014

I have several friends who suffer from arthritis. It's a condition that really benefits from a whole body healing point of view

Reply to: Psoriatic Arthritis and How is it Treated? Trudy is a 36-year-old female teacher with swelling"

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