Difference between osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis

Jolly

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis but also suffer from psoriasis of the scalp and elbows. How do I know if it is psoriatic arthritis I have and what is the difference?

PJoanne

Hello @Jolly and welcome to the community.

I think that your question is best answered by a GP or if they aren't able to diagnose a consultant. Perhaps ask your GP surgery for a referral to your local NHS provision for Rheumatology?

Here are some links that might help you

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/psoriatic-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/

All the best

Joanne

frogmorton

Not easy this one as your bloods will not necessarily show if it's PsA rather than OA in any given joint and afair few of us here have a mixture of two types in the end anyway.

I think scans and MRI's can show erosions and inflammation in the joints. There are other signs too with inflammatory arthritises like PsA like a low level fever extreme tiredness etc. The fatigue with inflammatory arthritises is really impossible to ignore I find when it is flaring up.

Maybe it's worth asking to a referral to rheumatology if you suspect it's PsA??

Best of luck

Toni x

Daydreamer123

Hi I really think I might have PsA ,my doctor hasn't sent me to rheumatology though,I don't think they are doing much to help

Moira

Hi, I can sympathise. Apparently there are long waiting lists in all parts of Britain for Rhumatology. I ended up going for a private consultation - cost £250 but now I'm on the Rhumatologist's NHS list. Feel a bit guilty about jumping the queue but at least I now have a diagnoses and am on a treatment path. PsA is difficult to diagnose because it isn't always obvious psorisis. I just have crusty scalp.

Good luck with your quest for tretment. Don't give up and follow some of the advice here on "Versus Arthritis" website. It's the best.