What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic (pronounced sore-ee-at-ick) arthritis causes swelling and pain in joints. This is called inflammation. It also causes a scaly rash on the skin.
It usually affects the wrists, knees, ankles, fingers and toes. It can also affect the back.
Psoriasis (pronounced sore-eye-a-sis) is a skin disease that is linked with psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis causes a scaly skin rash on the elbows, knees and scalp.

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes swelling and pain in and around the joints. It can affect a number of joints including the fingers, wrists, toes, knees, ankles, elbows and shoulder joints, the spine and joints in the lower back (called sacroiliac joints). Psoriatic arthritis also affects tissues surrounding the joints including tendons and ligaments. It may cause a swelling of the whole digit called “sausage” finger or toe. There is also skin inflammation, particularly on the elbows, knees and scalp. Psoriatic arthritis is linked to psoriasis, a disorder causing areas of the skin to become inflamed and be covered with silvery or grey scales.