Overview
The treatment of PsA depends upon which symptoms are the most severe and can change over time. Two primary types of physicians will be involved in treatment: A dermatologist is a specialist trained to treat the skin condition, and a rheumatologist is trained to treat the arthritic symptoms of the disease.

Note that there have been great advances in recent years for treating spondylitis. A common regimen for treating psoriatic arthritis includes medication and exercise.

Medication
A number of medications can be used to help treat the symptoms of PsA:

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to reduce the inflammation, joint pain and stiffness.

DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) are sometimes prescribed in more severe cases. These include methotrexate and sulfasalazine.

TNF-a inhibitors, a newer class of biologic medication, is sometimes prescribed off-label to those with severe ReA.

Note that a dermatologist may also prescribe various medications to help treat the skin condition caused by the disease. For more information on medications, please click here.

Exercise & Other Management Tools
Exercise is essential. Exercise helps keep the muscles strong around a joint. Not using a sore joint will cause the muscles to become weak, thus resulting in more pain.

Other management tools include physical therapy, heat for stiffness, ice for swelling, physical therapy and surgery for those with severe joint damage. Click here for more information on exercise, alternative treatments and more in our Patient Resources section.