Osteoarthritis is typically diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and imaging tests. Here are the steps involved in diagnosing osteoarthritis:
- Medical history: The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, including when they started, how severe they are, and if there are any factors that make them better or worse.
- Physical examination: The doctor will examine the affected joint for tenderness, swelling, stiffness, and range of motion. They may also check for signs of crepitus, which is a grinding or cracking sound that occurs when the joint is moved.
- Imaging tests: X-rays, MRI, or CT scans can help diagnose osteoarthritis by showing the extent of joint damage and the severity of joint space narrowing.
- Joint aspiration: This involves removing a small amount of fluid from the affected joint to look for signs of inflammation.
It’s important to note that there is no single test that can definitively diagnose osteoarthritis. The diagnosis is typically based on a combination of the above steps and ruling out other potential causes of joint pain and stiffness.
