How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most widespread type of arthritis. Common in older people, sufferers generally experience joint pain and restricted movement. Identifying osteoarthritis is not accomplished through a single test. Instead, physicians must use a variety of tools before a diagnosis of osteoarthritis can be made.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Physical examination
• X-rays
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Second opinion

1. Understand osteoarthritis and its effects on the body. In cases of osteoarthritis, your cartilage—the tissue covering the end of bones in your joints—wears away. The result is the bones beneath the cartilage rub together triggering pain, swelling and loss of joint motion.

2. Know the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. They include joint pain that worsens with movement, stiffness in the morning that continues for 30 minutes or less, reduced mobility that may impair your ability to perform daily tasks, depression and osteoarthritis in other joints, such as your hands

3. Contact your physician if you experience any of the symptoms. Generally, he will use several methods to diagnose osteoarthritis and eliminate other conditions.

4. Schedule a physical examination with your doctor. You will want him to evaluate your muscle strength and reflexes. Also tell him look at your painful joints. Your doctor also may observe you walking, bending and performing other daily activities.

5. Have x-rays taken of the painful joints and bones. If a diagnosis of osteoarthritis is suspected, x-rays will show narrower spaces in joints, thicker bones lining the joints and the presence of bone spurs.

6. Consider having an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) performed. The images such tests produce frequently detect early signs of the disease even before symptoms emerge.

7. Assess the need for an ultrasound with your physician. This test may detect effusions or collections of fluids that may not be substantial enough to cause swelling.

8. Pay a visit to a specialist, such as an orthopaedist, rheumatologist or a physiotherapist, for a second opinion and to help plan a course of treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• There is no one test to diagnose osteoarthritis.
• X-rays do not always capture early osteoarthritis damage.
• Many physicians do not see the need for ultrasounds, believing typical x-rays are adequate for diagnosing osteoarthritis.

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[peterpan56]

on 5/7/2008 Many physicians are right not to see the need for ultrasounds in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Ultrasounds can play a role where the doctor sees the possibility of other complications associated with osteoarthritis.
http://arthritis-symptom.com/Osteoarthritis-Symptoms/index.htm