Five Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

By Vickie Wilkerson

3 min read

Did that title catch you off guard? I know it did for me. One of the things I've learned is that the more you know about your disease, the more there is to know. Take this title for instance. I have had psoriatic arthritis for almost 8 years now.

It started in my back. Over these 8 years, it has progressed to my hips and knees as well. Even as I sit here typing my back feels like someone put it in a vice and has been cranking on the handle.

The 5 types of psoriatic arthritis

I honestly did not know that there are five different types of psoriatic arthritis. Before we dive in, I have written about this topic before and wanted to follow up as I've learned even more as I researched further.

Spondylitis

This is the one I have heard mentioned time and time again. However, in my case, it has not been mentioned as a type of psoriatic arthritis that I personally have. Spondylitis is described as inflammation between the joints in your vertebra. Think about that for a minute.¹

Your vertebra runs from your neck to the length of your back. That is a large area that can get inflamed.

Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis

This is described as being the mildest form of psoriatic arthritis a person can have. It affects only one side of your body usually affecting a hip, knee, toe, or finger.²

Symmetric psoriatic arthritis

About half the people who have psoriatic arthritis have this type.³ Unlike the one previously described this type of arthritis affects both sides of your body. For example, if you have arthritis is in your knee then the other knee will have it also. If your hip is affected the other hip will be as well. You get the jest.

Distal psoriatic arthritis

As the name implies, distal means it affects away from the center. A prime example of this arthritis is that it affects the tips of your fingers.² It will not be the whole finger that hurts only the tip. This form of arthritis is often confused with osteoarthritis.

I do not know how your arthritis diagnosis journey went but I can sure tell you that each time I said something about pain to my rheumatologist this is what I was told over and over again. You have osteoarthritis. Bet you heard this over and over again like I did.

Arthritis mutilans

Less than 1 in 20 get this form of psoriatic arthritis. It is the most severe and the rarest kind. This type causes your fingers and toes to become disfigured. Loss of range of motion is the result of this. It also comes with a lot of pain and stiffness.²

Did you know there were 5 types?

Those are the five types of psoriatic arthritis. I have to admit I only knew about one of these. However, I am going to make a point of asking my rheumatologist about it at my next appointment. I know I have plaque psoriasis. Even though it might only be for my information, but I want to know which of the five psoriatic arthritis types I have as well.

I firmly believe we should be the ambassadors of our own health. By that I mean we should learn as much as we can so that we actively participate in a discussion with our doctor. What type of ambassador are you? Did you know that there were five types of psoriatic arthritis? Do you know which type you have? If not, will you be having that discussion with your doctor as I will?

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Psoriatic-Arthritis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Grace70 Member
You forgot Enthesitis 
1. Grace70 Member
 <inline-mention username="Vickie Wilkerson" user-id="3316344"/> https://www.psoriasis.org/classification-of-psoriatic-arthritis/ 
2. CommunityMember09d83f Member
 <inline-mention username="Grace70" user-id="4128604"/> I forgot..I have that in my left shoulder
minniekibbie Member
I’m a leader for a Spondylitis support group of which PsA is included. I’m firmly of the belief that we have chronic enthesitis. I believe that is where most of my pain comes from. The enthesis is highly enervated but with no blood flow. So if our bodies attacked them, and messed them up, they are shooting out whacky nerve signals to the attached muscles most of the time! And the treatment for enthesitis is rest and steroids. Well those aren’t things we can do all the time! 
1. Grace70 Member
 <inline-mention username="minniekibbie" user-id="3282432"/> I wouldn’t doubt you have both. Sucks no matter what form we have its a life sucker and invisible to those around us.
snuffupakiss Member
Accordingly to my rheumy, I have all 5 kinds, explains most of my issues the past 25 years of my 48 years so far in life. Many autoimmune disorders in my family, all over the family tree.
CommunityMember09d83f Member
I was adopted, knew nothing about my family. Was very involved in sports, ballet, gymnastics cheerleader, figure skating, I did it all. Thought all my pain was from my youth. I'm now 70 and juat got all the news in the last 5 years. I'm grateful I don't have a lifetime of this to look forward to, but I miss who I used to be.
1. christine.laaksonen Community Admin
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMember09d83f" user-id="9900064"/> we hear you! It can be very painful (both physically and emotionally) to be dealing with PsA, no matter what time in your life it impacts you. Missing who you used to be is something so many people here can understand and relate to. Please know our community is here for you! -- Warmly, Christine (Team Member)