Psoriatic Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis

Joint issues are a normal part of aging, but sometimes, they can be a sign of arthritis. This is a condition that causes pain in your joints. Osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis are both common types of arthritis. They can feel very similar, but there are a few key differences.

Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage in your joints wears away over time. This is often caused by aging. Psoriatic arthritis happens when your immune system mistakenly views healthy cells as a threat and attacks them.

Osteoarthritis symptoms often include joint stiffness, swelling, pain, and movement issues. You'll mostly feel it in your hands, hips, knees, and spine. Psoriatic arthritis symptoms include thick or scaly skin patches, nail dents or crumbling, and joint stiffness. They often get worse in the morning.

You may be at risk for osteoarthritis if you're over 40 years old, have obesity, or have joint injuries or a job that stresses your joints. Psoriatic arthritis risk factors are often based on family history but can also be caused by an infection. This disease usually happens in people who are 30-50 years old.

For both conditions, you may get X-rays, an MRI, a CT scan, or an ultrasound so your doctor can see inside your joints. They will look for joint pain and swelling to find out if you have osteoarthritis. For psoriatic arthritis, your doctor will check for joint sensitivity, skin and nail changes, and bony growths around your joints.

Both osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis can be managed with lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and NSAIDs. Your osteoarthritis treatment may also include joint replacement surgery. Psoriatic arthritis may require steroid injections and biologic drugs.