radiological findings in psoriatic arthritis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The main radiological findings in psoriatic arthritis include:

  • erosion of terminal phalangeal tufts (acro-osteolysis)
  • whittling of the distal ends of phalanges, metacarpals and metatarsals
  • cupping of the proximal ends of phalanges
  • cupping with whittling results in the "pencil-in-cup" deformity
  • severe destruction of finger and toe joints, particularly distal interphalangeal joints
  • ankylosis of finger and toe joints
  • sacro-ilitis
  • relative lack of osteoporosis compared to rheumatoid arthritis
  • telescoping of phalanges in arthritis mutilans