Distal Interphalangeal Predominant Psoriatic Arthritis
Distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis primarily occurs in the small joints called distal interphalangeal joints at the end of the toes and fingers. This type is rare and accounts for approximately 10 percent of reported cases. It can be either asymmetrical, meaning one side of the body is affected, or symmetrical, meaning both sides of the body are affected. Common symptoms of distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis include limited range of movement, joint stiffness (particularly after a long period of rest), swollen and painful toes or fingers, ligament or tendon pain, and nail changes, such as pitting, crumbling, tenderness, discoloration, detachment, or white spots.
Proper treatment is important to prevent these symptoms from worsening and leading to complications, such as loss of function or joint deformity. In mild cases, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or steroid injections would help alleviate pain, stiffness, and inflammation. For those with more severe symptoms, doctors may prescribe disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs or tumor necrosis factors to manage the disease and slow down the progression. Occupational and physical therapy may also help maintain bodily function and protect joints. When these treatment options are not as effective as expected, surgery may be the last resort to repair joint damage and ease severe pain. Nevertheless, these problems would recur in the future, particularly in the fingers. [1]
