Skip to main content
OrthoVellum
Knowledge Hub

Study

  • Topics
  • MCQs
  • ISAWE
  • Operative Surgery
  • Flashcards

Company

  • About Us
  • Editorial Policy
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Blog

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Medical Disclaimer
  • Copyright & DMCA
  • Refund Policy

Support

  • Help Center
  • Accessibility
  • Report an Issue
OrthoVellum

Ā© 2026 OrthoVellum. For educational purposes only.

Not affiliated with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

Hand & Upper Limb
intermediate
X-Type

Psoriatic Arthritis of the Hand - Dactylitis, DIP, and Opera Glass Hand

Inflammatory Arthritis

A 42-year-old man with a 10-year history of scalp psoriasis presents with progressive finger stiffness and swelling. Examination reveals diffuse swelling of the right index finger ("sausage digit"), nail pitting, onycholysis, and swelling of multiple DIP joints. Radiographs show erosive changes at the DIP joints with a "pencil-in-cup" deformity. Regarding psoriatic arthritis of the hand:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Dactylitis ("sausage digit") is a hallmark of psoriatic arthritis resulting from concurrent tenosyno...

B

DIP joint involvement is characteristic of psoriatic arthritis and helps distinguish it from rheumat...

C

Psoriatic arthritis only occurs in patients with established skin psoriasis; arthritis never precede...

D

The "pencil-in-cup" deformity is a radiographic hallmark of psoriatic arthritis caused by erosive re...

E

Arthritis mutilans (opera glass hand) represents the most severe destructive form with osteolysis le...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option