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What disease does Phil Mickelson have? Treatment and diagnosis explored

Phil Mickelson is one of the most accomplished golfers. He has won 45 titles on the PGA Tour, including 6 Majors. Irrespective of his recent controversies outside the golf course, one cannot ignore the greatness of Mickelson.

Mickelson played under the shadow of Tiger Woods for the initial years of his career. However, he eventually succeeded in rising above it. A turning point came in Mickelson's life in 2010 when he announced that he was suffering from a disease called psoriatic arthritis.

In 2010, Phil Mickelson was preparing for the 2010 US Open. There was an unexpected joint ache in his body. He didn't hurt himself and it was sudden, a feeling of spraining the wrist or jamming a finger. He felt pain in his right ankle too.

Initially, he thought it was just a temporary pain that would pass after a while but it didn't. He visited a rheumatologist who ran some tests, eventually finding out that he was suffering from psoriatic arthritis.


What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is named after two different diseases, psoriasis and arthritis.

Psoriasis is a widespread, long-term skin condition characterized by the rapid growth of new skin cells that results in thick, scaly patches, often located on or around the joints. These patches are often covered in silver-white scales and can be accompanied by itching or discomfort.

Additionally, psoriasis sufferers may also experience nails that are pitted or brittle, or nails that have detached from the nail bed. It is genetic and may be mild or severe. Although it is incurable for now, it can be treated.


Psoriatic arthritis

Approximately 5% of Americans with psoriasis develop Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA), typically affecting individuals between the ages of 30 and 50. Sometimes, the onset of PsA is unnoticeable skin symptoms, which makes it tough to diagnose.

Psoriatic arthritis leads to inflammation and discomfort in the joints throughout the body, and in severe cases, can cause the fingers and toes to become swollen and resemble sausages, a condition known as dactylitis.

Doctors are yet to determine the cause behind psoriasis and PsA. However, they believe the disease may be due to the immune system and its interaction with the environment in people with genetic susceptibility.


Treatment

Treatment for psoriatic arthritis, such as Phil Mickelson's condition, typically involves the use of various medications, with Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), usually being the first line of treatment.

Since Mickelson’s psoriatic arthritis was severe, he was out on one of the relatively newer biological responses modifying drugs, etanercept (Enbrel), a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocking drug. Although Enbrel did its job in Mickelson's case, the drug doesn't need to work on everyone.

However, Mickelson will have both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for the rest of his life. Sometimes PsA will flare up and other times it will cause minor pain or disability.


What's next for Phil Mickelson?

Phil Mickelson failed to make a cut in PIF Saudi International last week
Phil Mickelson failed to make a cut in PIF Saudi International last week

Phil Mickelson will next be seen in a LIV Golf event as the new season of Saudi International starts on February 24. The first event will be held at Mayakoba’s El Camaleón Golf Course on Mexico’s Riviera Maya.

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