Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on the symptoms presented and sometimes tests to identify the causative factors. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your affected joint for tenderness, swelling, redness, and flexibility. Imaging tests such as X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRIRead more
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on the symptoms presented and sometimes tests to identify the causative factors. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your affected joint for tenderness, swelling, redness, and flexibility. Imaging tests such as X-rays and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) can be used to get pictures of the affected joint. Analyzing your blood or joint fluid can also help confirm the diagnosis. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, while joint fluid analysis can determine whether your pain is caused by gout or infection rather than osteoarthritis.
See less
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include: - Pain: Affected joints might hurt during or after movement. - Stiffness: Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive. - TRead more
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
– Pain: Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
– Stiffness: Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
– Tenderness: Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
– Loss of flexibility: You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
– Grating sensation: You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling.
– Bone spurs: These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
– Swelling: This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis often develop slowly and worsen over time. Although the damage to joints can’t be reversed, osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be managed with certain treatments and lifestyle changes. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and receiving certain treatments might slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
See less