2010 PGA Championship: Phil Mickelson Reveals He Has Arthritis, Is Now Vegetarian

Phil Mickelson and his family have been through quite a few health problems in the last 18 months. His wife Amy and mother were both diagnosed with breast cancer, and each are still fighting the condition. Mickelson has spent considerable time away from golf to tend to his family.

Now, Mickelson has a medical issue of his own – and one critical to his profession. In his PGA Championship pre-tournament presser, Lefty revealed he suffers from psoriatic arthritis. He says he has had the condition since the US Open.

What is psoriatic arthritis? According to Google Health, it “is an arthritis that is often associated with psoriasis of the skin.” The condition is mild compared to other forms of arthritis, but the pain centers around the tips of appendages like fingers and toes. Pain can spread to the spine in rare cases. Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to reduce pain and swelling of impacted joints.

Mickelson also told reporters that he has been following a vegetarian diet for the last two months.