Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis and happens when the cartilage in your joints wear down. This may take place in any joints, but the most common locations are your hands, hips, knees, neck and lower back. Osteoarthritis is chronic, in that there is no cure for it, but there are measures that your doctor can take to lessen the pain and stiffness in your joints after he determines that the condition is indeed osteoarthritis.
Step 1
Visit your primary health care physician as soon as you notice symptoms such as pain, tenderness, stiffness, loss of flexibility, grating sensation and bone spurs. The Arthritis Foundation reports that the sooner the condition is diagnosed, the better you will be able to manage the symptoms. Your primary care physician can do an initial diagnosis, and if necessary, refer you to a specialist.
Step 2
Tell the doctor your medical history. If you are seeing a specialist for the first time, fill him in completely on your past illnesses, conditions and medications. Past medical conditions can help your doctor to determine if what you have is indeed osteoarthritis or something completely different.
Step 3
Get X-rays of your joints taken. The X-rays can help your doctor diagnose your condition by showing if there is a breakdown or reduction of cartilage in your joints. Bone spurs may also be revealed by an X-ray.
Step 4
Undergo an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging. If your X-ray shows signs of osteoarthritis, an MRI can help your doctor to see further details. MRIs use radio waves and a strong magnetic field, which can show very detailed images of your bones, joints, cartilage and soft tissues.
Step 5
Take a blood test to rule out other joint conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis. The difference between the two types of arthritis is that rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the lining of your joints. Also, with rheumatoid arthritis, the areas most affected are your hands and feet, and the condition can lead to joint deformity.
Step 6
Analyze your joint fluid. Your doctor may require that your joint fluid be analyzed in order to rule out other causes of the pain and swelling. This is done using a needle which directly draws the fluid out of your joint.
Things You'll Need
- X-ray
- MRI
- Blood tests
- Joint fluid tests
