Arthritis mutilans
Arthritis mutilans is a rare medical condition involving severe inflammation damaging the joints of the hands and feet, and resulting in deformation and problems with moving the affected areas; it can also affect the spine.
Signs and symptoms[edit | edit source]
Signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:
- stiff, painful joints with redness, heat, and swelling in the surrounding tissues.
- When the hands and feet are affected, swelling and redness may result in a "sausage-like" appearance of the fingers or toes called dactylitis.
- Psoriatic arthritis usually occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
- In some patients, psoriatic arthritis develops in the absence of noticeable skin changes.
Cause[edit | edit source]
Arthritis mutilans occurs mainly in people who have pre-existing psoriatic arthritis, but can occur, if less often, in advanced rheumatoid arthritis; it can also occur independently
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Enthesitis can assist in differentiating arthritis mutilans' parent condition psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, with evidence in plain radiographs (x-rays) and MRI as periostitis, new bone formation, and bone erosions.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treat the underlying cause
Medication[edit | edit source]
The bone edema in arthritis mutilans can be treated with TNF inhibitors
Surgical[edit | edit source]
Although a 2011 research article stated that disagreements between hand surgeons and rheumatologists remain regarding the indications, timing and effectiveness of rheumatoid hand surgery
Outcomes[edit | edit source]
Arthritis mutilans' parent condition psoriatic arthritis leaves people with a mortality risk 60% higher than the general population, with premature death causes mirroring those of the general population, cardiovascular issues being most common.
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Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD