Psoriatic Arthritis Health Center
Psoriatic Arthritis: Treatment
Is exercise important in treating psoriatic arthritis?
Yes. Moderate, regular exercise can relieve the joint stiffness and pain associated with psoriatic arthritis. A tailored program of range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, combined with cardiovascular exercise, can help:
- Relieve arthritis symptoms
- Maintain normal joint movement
- Increase flexibility and muscle strength
- Maintain weight to reduce pressure on joints
- Improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness
What about water therapy in easing the pain of psoriatic arthritis?
Water therapy (hydrotherapy or aqua therapy) is a program of exercises performed in a large pool. Water therapy may be easier on painful joints from psoriatic arthritis because the water takes some of the weight off the affected areas. Appropriate recreational exercise also may be beneficial, but only if it is preceded by a program of range-of-motion, strength, and aerobic exercises to reduce the chance of injury. Regardless of the exercise program you select, it's important to choose one you enjoy so that you maintain it.
Before beginning any new exercise program, discuss exercise options with your doctor. Also, begin new exercise programs under the supervision of a physical therapist or qualified professional, preferably one who has experience working with psoriatic arthritis patients. Furthermore, it's important to know that improper exercise programs may worsen psoriatic arthritis. Check with your doctor or therapist before starting an exercise program and adjust your program if you experience any of the following:
- Unusual or persistent fatigue
- Increased weakness
- Decreased range of motion
- Increased joint swelling
- Continuing pain (lasting more than an hour after exercising)
Can heat or cold therapy help psoriatic arthritis?
Heat and cold therapy involves alternating moist heat and cold applications to affected joints to provide temporary relief of the pain and swelling associated with psoriatic arthritis. Moist heat, supplied by a warm towel, hot pack, or warm bath or shower, can help relax aching muscles and relieve joint pain and soreness.
Cold therapy, supplied by a bag of ice or even frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel, can reduce swelling and relieve pain by numbing the affected joints.
When is surgery necessary for treating psoriatic arthritis?
Most people with psoriatic arthritis will never require surgery. But when everything else fails to help, a surgical procedure called a synovectomy may be required to restore joint function or remove diseased portions of the joint's soft tissues. Severely damaged joints may require arthroplasty or joint replacement surgery, in which damaged joints are replaced with synthetic ones to restore function in the affected area. Joint fusions also may be needed to take care of pain that doesn't respond to medications, for example in destroyed wrists, ankles, or fingers or toes. Surgery can relieve pain, increase movement, or improve the physical appearance of the affected area.
WebMD Medical Reference
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