Difference between osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis

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?

Comments

  • PJoanne
    PJoanne Moderator Posts: 174

    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

    All the best

    Joanne

    Need more help - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,004

    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

  • 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
    Moira Member Posts: 107

    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.