Psoriatic arthritis
Therapeutic options
By starting therapy early, permanent joint damage and the mobility restrictions that come with it can be avoided. Furthermore, the aim of the therapy is to relieve acute symptoms. An individual therapy concept is put together for every patient, consisting of medicinal and non-medicinal approaches.
Generally, the following therapeutic approaches are possible:
Medicinal therapies
Acute pain is often firstly treated with pain-relieving medication (with or without cortisone).
Long-term therapy involves the use of medication that affects the disease which acts against the inflammatory processes in the joint by suppressing the immune resistance. Biologics are used for this purpose.
In addition to local psoriasis therapy, painkillers (NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), such as ibuprofen and diclofenac, but also glucocorticoids (cortisone) are used.
Biologics
Biologics are biotechnologically manufactured medication that have an affect on the disease; they are applied under the skin as an infusion or an injection. They block certain messengers of the immune system and thus intervene positively in the inflammation process.
Non-medicinal therapeutic measures
In order to retain mobility of the joints and relieve the pain, mobility exercises help more than anything else.
These can be done at medical gymnastics or physiotherapy sessions, but also at home and include functional training, ergotherapy, gymnastics and joint-friendly sports.
Physical therapy such as heat and cold therapy and massages as well as relaxation techniques, e.g. Jacobson's progressive muscle relaxation, can improve the quality of life of those suffering from psoriatic arthritis. Furthermore, psychological support and the use of aids such as special knives, bottle openers and splints to protect inflamed joints can help in navigating day-to-day life.
Those affected can also influence the progression of their disease themselves: as well as using suitable skincare products, avoiding things like caffeine, nicotine and alcohol as well as maintaining a healthy body weight can have a positive effect on the inflammation processes in the body. In addition to prescribed mobility therapies, regular exercises can also counteract joint stiffness and pain.