Pro golfer, Phil Mickelson, has been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. As the PGA Championship started Thursday, eyes were on Mickelson to see how the condition will affect his game. According to the New York Times and Mickelson's own website, on June 13, just a few days before the start of the United States Open, he woke up in tremendous pain and was unable to walk. Initially, Mickelson was not alarmed, thinking it was ordinary aches and pains. But instead of improving, his symptoms worsened. Mickelson went to his doctor and was put on medication.
At first, Mickelson was prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs -- and now his treatment regimen includes self-injecting Enbrel. He reportedly also is sticking with a vegetarian diet. Without question, Mickelson's diagnosis is bringing attention to psoriatic arthritis -- a type of arthritis associated with the skin condition, psoriasis. About 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis. The symptoms of psoriasis and chronic joint inflammation often develop separately for psoriatic arthritis patients. In 85% of psoriatic arthritis patients, symptoms of psoriasis develop before arthritis symptoms. Arthritis develops before psoriasis in up to 15% of psoriatic arthritis patients. Psoriasis and arthritis can develop years apart.
Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body. Typically, psoriatic arthritis affects large joints of the lower extremities, distal joints of the fingers and toes, as well as the back and sacroiliac joints. The week before the "Open", Mickelson's Achilles tendon, piriformis muscle, left index finger, right wrist, and later hips, ankle, elbows, and shoulders were painful. He reportedly is responding well to treatment.
Related Resources:
- Psoriatic Arthritis Screening Quiz
- Fast Facts About Psoriatic Arthritis
- Test Your Knowledge - Psoriatic Arthritis
- How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis
- 10 Things You Should Know About Psoriatic Arthritis
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