Until recently, I did not know much about psoriatic arthritis. In fact, it was not until I became aware that Kathy's mom was facing psoriatic arthritis at an advanced stage that I actually learned how serious it is. Generally speaking, psoriatic arthritis is a joint disease that develops from the skin disease psoriasis. About 30 percent of people who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. The disease causes pain, stiffness and swelling of the joints. In more exreme cases it can effect the back, spine and peripheral joints. Psoriatic arthritis is generally distinguished into 5 different types (Read about them here).
There is no cure for this disease and right now the hope is for early detection so that the medicine can help slow the progression and limit the symptoms in those who are diagnosed with it. Unfortunately for those who are diagnosed with the most extreme forms of psoriatic arthritis the treatments are limited and often times will require surgery (or multiple surgeries) to alleviate symptoms.
Money raised for the National Psoriasis Foundation goes directly to funding research for new treatments and hopefully one day a cure for psoriatic arthritis.
To learn more about the psoriatic arthritis, click this link: Psoriatic Arthritis
