Medicine is filled with some truly funny terms. Many of these terms are rooted in pathology, which makes sense when you think about it. They help describe what’s happening in the body. However, a lot of conditions and diseases are named after people—the ones who discovered or understood them. This naming convention can drive med students a bit crazy, as they have to memorize these names to identify the diseases.

Then there are terms that are much more straightforward—and even a bit humorous. Take “Sausage Digit” for instance. This term is used when a person’s finger or toe is swollen—not just the joint but the entire digit. It literally looks like a sausage link. The swelling is due to fluid and inflammation in the joint, tendons, and ligaments.

Recently, a patient came in complaining of pain and swelling in one of her fingers. It was her fifth digit, and she wasn’t sure what was causing it. Just by looking at her, it was clear she had a sausage digit. There are only a few things that can cause this condition, and as she shared her history, she mentioned having psoriasis. Immediately, psoriatic arthritis came to mind. An ultrasound confirmed some fluid around her tendon and joint, confirming the diagnosis.

That is what sausage digit looks like in psoriatic arthritis, and with the right treatment, the inflammation can be reduced, and the patient will start to feel better.