Arthritis Tests and Diagnosis

  • Arthritis
    Arthritis is often seen as a disease that affects the elderly but it can affect people of all ages. According to the Arthritis Foundation, two-thirds of people with arthritis are under the age of 65. And more people in their late 30s and 40s are now being diagnosed with the condition 
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 3 July 2015

The process of diagnosing arthritis involves several steps. The doctor will record your medical history and give you a physical examination. He/she may also recommend laboratory tests, imaging tests (such as x-rays), and other tests as required.

Laboratory and imaging tests are sometimes, but not always, needed to determine the cause of arthritis. These tests may include:

X-rays: To see a detailed picture of the bones. However, for many types of arthritis, changes in the joint are not visible on x-ray for months or even years. However, x-rays are often useful to monitor over time.

Joint tap: This procedure tests the fluid inside a joint, called the synovial fluid, to determine the cause of a person’s arthritis. After making the skin numb, a needle is inserted inside the joint and a sample of the fluid is withdrawn. Analysis of the joint fluid is particularly helpful in confirming whether the arthritis is inflammatory and in establishing a diagnosis of septic arthritis (due to bacterial infection) and gout.

Blood tests: Estimates of serum calcium and vitamin D.

If rheumatoid arthritis is suspected, it can be helpful to test the blood for auto-antibodies that are commonly present in these diseases. Examples include the rheumatoid factor (RF) for rheumatoid arthritis.

Other imaging tests: Ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and computer aided tomography (CT scan) provide images of the tissues surrounding the joints. One or more of these imaging tests may be recommended to detect erosions (bone damage due to arthritis), fractures, calcium deposits or changes in the shape of a joint.

 

Community
Muscle, Bone and Joint (earlier named Arthritis)
Condition
Arthritis

Stories

  • A stock pic of a pregnant woman sitting on the grass
    Pregnancy and Arthritis
    Women with arthritis can get pregnant. It is better for them to discuss with both their treating rheumatologist or endocrinologist and their OB-GYN and plan their pregnancy. Find out how pregnancy affects your arthritic symptoms and how you can deal with them. Women with arthritis who are pregnant are affected in different ways. In arthritis, joints are inflammed and painful. For some pregnant women, the added weight of pregnancy may increase pain and discomfort. But 70-80% of women…
  • Walking to Help Knee OA: How Much Is Enough?
    Researchers find 6,000 steps per day is the “magic” number for preventing activity limitations in people with knee osteoarthritis (OA), according to a new study published recently online in Arthritis Care & Research. If you have not been doing much walking, start with 3000 steps and then move up to 6000 steps per day http://www.arthritistoday.org/news/walking-protects-against-limitations-348.php
  • Tofacitinib: A novel oral treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
    Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®) is the first of a unique class of oral kinase inhibitors to be FDA approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Tofacitinib is a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase (JAK) enzymes. these enzymes mediate signaling for several important cytokines that cause the inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritic patients.  http://www.hopkinsarthritis.org/arthritis-news/tofacitinib-fda-approved-oral-biologic-for-rheumatoid-arthritis/
  • Is Knee or Hip replacement right for you ?
    How many times has someone close to us been told to replace a knee or replace a hip ? But is it always the right option ? Understand and evaluate your options carefully as explained here :  http://health.clevelandclinic.org/2014/08/is-a-hip-or-knee-replacement-right-for-you/
  • Exercising with Arthritis? Is it possible?
    A great article on why exercising is important to prevent complications from inactivity in Arthritic patients and what exercises are suitable. https://www.rheumatology.org/Practice/Clinical/Patients/Diseases_And_Conditions/Exercise_and_Arthritis/
  • Men get Arthritis, too
    Living with RA is living with pain but “Don’t let the disease define you”. RA causes pain in his hands, but he plays the piano every day to keep his fingers moving and his brain active. http://www.everydayhealth.com/news/men-get-arthritis-too/?xid=tw_everydayhealth_sf
  • Apples and tart cherries help fight inflammation
    Helps fight not just arthritis but Alzheimer's as well. Eat fresh fruit rather than drink juice http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/eating-well/healthy-foods/benefits-of-fruit.php
  • Smoking Worsens Psoriatic Arthritis
    "Patients with psoriatic arthritis who smoke have worse patient-reported disease features at baseline and don't respond as well as nonsmokers to anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) treatment, a Danish study found." Patients who had stopped smoking more than 4 years before beginning treatment showed very similar rates of adherence to treatment as did those who had never smoked. So its never too late to quit smoking. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Dermatology/Psoriasis/46969
  • , , , , , ,
    Yoga Arthritis - Greeva Sanchalana (Neck Movement)
    Meaning Greeva is neck and Sanchalana means movement Benefits of Greeva Sanchalana 1. Strengthens the muscles of the neck and the shoulders 2. Releases tension, heaviness and stiffness in the head, neck and shoulder region especially after lengthy desk-work 3. Stimulates and provides relief to nerves of different organs (especially all sensory organs) that pass through the neck. 4. When the movement is performed slowly and rhythmically with slow and deep breathing, it calms the mind and is…
  • , ,
    Yoga Arthritis - Marjari Asana (Cat Pose)
    Meaning Marjari means Cat and Asana means Pose. Benefits of Marjari Asana 1. Improves flexibility of the spinal cord 2. Strengthens the whole spine, upper back, shoulders and neck 3. Releases tension from the lumbar region (lower back), cervical region (upper back and neck) 4. Tones the female reproductive system 5. Releases tension and pain Contraindications People with severe knee pain, vertigo and spondylosis should avoid this asana. The Posture 1. Get on your knees, keeping hip-wide…

Latest Stories

Booklet