How Do Doctors Diagnose Osteoarthritis?

Clinical History: The doctor begins by asking the patient to describe the symptoms, and when and how the condition started. Good doctor-patient communication is important. The doctor can give a better assessment if the patient gives a good description of pain, stiffness, and joint function, and how they changed over time. It is also important for the doctor to know how the condition is affecting the patient's work and daily life. Finally, the doctor also needs to know about other medical conditions and whether the patient is taking any medicines.

Physical Examination: The doctor will check the patient's general health. Joints bothering the patient will be examined, including checking reflexes and muscle strength. The doctor will also observe the patient's ability to walk, bend, and carry out activities of daily living.

X rays: Doctors take x rays to see how much joint damage has been done. X rays of the affected joint can show such things as cartilage loss, bone damage, and bone spurs. But there is often a big difference between the severity of osteoarthritis that the x ray shows and the degree of pain and disability the patient has. And x rays may not show early osteoarthritis damage (before much cartilage loss has taken place).

Other Tests: The doctor may order blood tests to determine the cause of symptoms. Another common test includes "joint aspiration," where fluid is drawn from the joint for examination.

It is usually not difficult to tell if a patient has osteoarthritis. It is more difficult to tell if the disease is causing the patient's symptoms. Osteoarthritis is so common, especially in older people, that other conditions may play a role in the symptoms. The doctor will try to find out what is causing the symptoms, ruling out other disorders and identifying conditions that may make the symptoms worse. The severity of symptoms in osteoarthritis is greatly influenced by the patient's attitudes, anxiety, depression, or daily activity level.

How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

back to Osteoarthritis: The Fundamentals

Excerpted from Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

The NIAMS, a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal medical research effort in arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The NIAMS supports research and research training throughout the United States as well as on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland, and disseminates health and research information. The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC) is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and information sources. Additional information and research updates can be found on the NIAMS Web site at http://www.nih.gov/niams/.