Key takeaways
- Surgery for psoriatic arthritis is typically considered when other treatments like medication and therapy haven’t provided enough relief for the severe joint damage caused by the condition.
- Different surgical options exist, including total joint replacement, joint fusion, and synovectomy, each with specific benefits depending on the affected joints and the extent of the damage.
- While surgery can reduce pain and improve mobility, it won’t stop the progression of psoriatic arthritis. Recovery requires physical therapy and pain management, with potential risks like infection or implant issues.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. The condition can cause painful inflammation in the joints and lead to significant joint damage.
While there is no cure for PsA, it can be managed with medications and supportive therapies such as physical or occupational therapy.
In severe cases, psoriatic arthritis surgery may be recommended. However, this is typically a last resort and is only suggested if other treatments have not worked. It is important to remember that surgery will not treat the inflammation caused by PSA as it is an autoimmune condition.
Read on to learn more about the benefits and risks of PsA surgery, as well as recovery time.
Surgery for psoriatic arthritis is used when other treatments have not worked. It is usually considered an intervention or last resort after medications and other therapies have failed.
Healthcare professionals
- Total joint replacement: This surgery is for severely damaged joints and replaces the entire joint with an artificial joint.
- Joint fusion: This procedure is usually reserved for joints in the hands, feet, or spine, this surgery stabilizes a joint by fusing those joint bones together.
- Synovectomy: This procedure removes the synovium, the membrane lining the joints. It can delay a total joint replacement and reduce pain.
While PsA surgery may reduce joint pain and offer improved mobility, it’s important to remember that it will not change the course of your disease.
Psoriatic arthritis surgery is an option for severe and progressive cases of PsA. It can repair your joint damage, reduce pain, and improve your quality of life. However, the artificial joint can wear out over time and may not relieve symptoms as much as expected.
The effectiveness of psoriatic arthritis surgery is highly individualized, with many factors to consider. Each person may respond differently based on their level of joint damage, overall health, and individual response to treatment. It is important to speak with a doctor to set expectations relevant to your specific situation and outcome.
There are some things you can do in advance to help your surgery and plan for recovery, such as:
- scheduling a physical, to determine your overall fitness for surgery
- going to physical therapy, to strengthen the areas around your joints
- planning for recovery, such as getting time off work, or arranging for loved ones to help you out
- talking with a healthcare professional about assistive devices during recovery
- considering home safety, such as adding handrails or removing rugs
- applying for a disability parking permit to help you during recovery
What happens in your actual surgery will depend on the type of surgery you’re having. In general, you will likely receive anesthesia, and then a surgeon will repair the damaged joint.
In joint replacement surgery, an artificial joint replaces the damaged joint. The surgeon first removes the damaged bones and cartilage. Then, they use two metal pieces to replace the movable joint, using a plastic spacer to ensure a good gliding motion.
In joint fusion, the surgeon compresses the joint bones and either attaches them with hardware like plates, screws, or nails or uses a bone graft.
Synovectomy can be performed as an open surgery or minimally invasive arthroscopy. The surgeon either removes or destroys the synovial membrane in the joint, resulting in reduced joint pain.
Recovery times after psoriatic arthritis surgery can vary. Your recovery time will depend on the type of surgery you have, the joints replaced or affected, and your overall health.
Initial recovery from joint replacement differs for each individual and can often take several months, while recovering from a joint fusion procedure may take around
In general, here are some things to expect while recovering from psoriatic arthritis surgery:
- A doctor will prescribe pain management medications to keep you comfortable during recovery.
- You will likely receive splints, crutches, or braces to support the affected joint to use at home.
- You will need to see a doctor for follow-up appointments.
- Physical therapy, once approved, will be an important part of your recovery process.
- Lingering pain in the affected joint should be expected and may last for several months.
- Psoriasis flare-ups may occur after the stress of surgery or if PsA medication is paused.
Psoriatic arthritis surgery is considered to be a safe procedure. However, all surgeries come with risks. Some of the risks associated with PsA surgery are:
- potentially less than expected improvement in joint pain
- issues with the replacement joint
- infection
- blood clots
- nerve damage, although this is rare
- lowered immunity
Psoriatic arthritis surgery is considered a last resort surgery for people with PsA. It is usually only recommended after you have exhausted other treatment options such as medications and physical or occupational therapy.
There are different types of PsA surgery, depending on your level of joint damage. Psoriatic arthritis surgery is usually most effective for people with severe progressive joint damage and may ease pain and improve quality of life.