How Psoriatic Arthritis Affects Your Feet

When most people think of psoriasis, their mind goes to skin problems. In reality, the issues that come with this autoimmune condition can go much deeper. It can make daily life painful, particularly if it affects your feet.

Specifically, the condition that’s behind psoriasis can affect your joints, too. Doctors call this psoriatic arthritis. The joint pain caused by psoriatic arthritis poses problems no matter where it occurs, but it’s particularly troublesome in your feet.

As an expert in multiple forms of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis, David E. Biss, DPM, can help. At our offices in Concord and Plymouth, New Hampshire, our Concord Podiatry team works with you to figure out if this condition is behind your foot problems. If it is, Dr. Biss develops a treatment plan aimed at bringing you relief.

The link between psoriatic arthritis and your feet

When you have psoriatic arthritis, your body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. When that happens to the joints in your feet, it becomes particularly painful. Every step you take might cause you discomfort, and this condition can cause issues even when you’re at rest.

Some of the most common ways psoriatic arthritis affects the feet include:

Inflammation in your Achilles tendon, causing heel pain
Plantar fasciitis, inflammation causing pain along the bottom of your foot
Pain and swelling at the base of your big toe
Dactylitis, or swollen toes that might even look like sausages
Toenail problems, including pitting, thickening, or separating from the nailbed

The inflammation can contribute to other problems, too. It might encourage the formation of bone spurs, for example, which can cause further discomfort.

In short, the same autoimmune condition that causes skin issues for people with psoriasis can lead to a range of unwelcome, uncomfortable changes in your feet. If these sound familiar, it’s time to make an appointment at Concord Podiatry.

Diagnosing and treating psoriatic arthritis

Dr. Biss works with you to determine if your foot issues are due to psoriatic arthritis. He starts by evaluating your feet and asking you about your symptoms. He might deploy additional diagnostic tools, like a blood test to look for indicators of inflammation or an X-ray to check for bone spurs.

He may also work with other doctors on your care team, such as your rheumatologist, to move toward diagnosis and a treatment plan.

Usually, effectively managing psoriatic arthritis means combining medication with lifestyle changes. Dr. Biss might recommend at-home interventions like:

Applying cold packs for 10 minutes at a time
Choosing shoes with an open toe or a roomy toe box
Trimming your toenails short and straight across

Additional lifestyle changes like consistent exercise and weight management can ease your symptoms. Dr. Biss works with you to help you move toward greater relief over time.

If you think psoriatic arthritis is affecting your feet, schedule a visit to see Dr. Biss so you can get a clear diagnosis and help managing your symptoms. Call the Concord Podiatry office nearest you today to get started.