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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffDepending on the type of arthritis suspected, your doctor may suggest some of the following tests.
Laboratory tests
The analysis of different types of body fluids can help pinpoint the type of arthritis you may have. Fluids commonly analyzed include:
- Blood
- Urine
- Joint fluid
To obtain a sample of your joint fluid, your doctor will cleanse and numb your skin, and then insert a needle into your joint space to withdraw some fluid.
Imaging
These types of tests can detect problems within your joint that may be causing your symptoms. Examples include:
- X-rays. Using low levels of radiation to visualize bone, X-rays can show cartilage loss, bone damage and bone spurs. X-rays may not reveal early arthritic damage, but are often used to track progression of the disease.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Combining radio waves with a strong magnetic field, MRI can visualize soft tissues such as cartilage, tendons and ligaments as well as bone.
Arthroscopy
In some cases, your doctor may look for damage in your joint by inserting a small, flexible tube — called an arthroscope — through an incision near your joint. The arthroscope transmits images from inside the joint to a video screen.
- Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/tengo_artritis.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Pinals RS. Patient information: Arthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Questions and answers about arthritis and rheumatic diseases. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Arthritis/arthritis_rheumatic_qa.asp. Accessed Dec. 4, 2008.
- Handout on health: Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Handout on health: Rheumatoid arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Rheumatic_Disease/default.asp. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Kalunian KC. Patient information: Features and diagnosis of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 25, 2008.
- Becker MA. Patient information: Gout. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Nov. 26, 2008.
- Surgical therapy. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/112757110-6/780150341/1492/1060.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2805-5..50304-9--cesec7_13377. Accessed Dec. 5, 2008.
- Natural medicines in the clinical management of osteoarthritis. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
- Acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. http://nccam.nih.gov/research/results/acu-osteo.htm. Accessed Nov. 28, 2008.
