Difference between osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis

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Jolly
Jolly Member Posts: 2
in Living with 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?

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  • PJoanne
    PJoanne Moderator Posts: 45
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    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
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,445
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    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

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