OSTEOARTHRITIS DIAGNOSIS & SYMPTOMS

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis & Symptoms

How osteoarthritis is diagnoses?

There is no blood test performed by the doctor to determine the disease. It can be used in case of exclude conditions that can cause secondary osteoarthritis. X-rays of the affected area will be suggested by the health care providers to diagnose the disease. X-rays may help to find of osteoarthritis such as narrowing of the joint space between adjacent bones, bone spur formation and loss of joint cartilage.

Arthrocentesis is also very useful to detect the osteoarthritis. It can perform only in the doctor’s office. The doctor uses a sterile needle to remove joint fluid, during arthrocentesis. Analysis of joint fluid is very effective in infection, excluding gout and other reasons of arthritis. During arthrocentesis, injection of corticosteroids and removal of joint fluid into the joints can help swelling, inflammation and relieve pain.

Arthroscopy is recommended by the doctor to diagnose osteoarthritis. In this technique, a viewing tube is inserted into the space between joints by the doctor. Damage to the cartilage, ligaments and abnormalities of the disease will be detected.

Therefore, a successful analysis of the character of the symptoms, location and duration may help the health care providers to diagnose the disease. In some cases, bunions of the feet, Bouchard’s nodes and Heberden’s nodes can help the health care providers to determine of osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Pain in the affected joints is the main symptoms of the disease. There can be warmth, swelling and creaking in the joints after a few days. Stiffness and severe pain can also occur after some activities such as sitting for long periods. Other symptoms of this disease include joint dysfunction, pain and limping.

Osteoarthritis of the spine may cause low back or pain in the back. Bony spurs can irritate spinal nerves and causing numbness, tingling, and severe pain of the affected area of the body.

Other signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis may include:

Pain decreased in the joint by resting.

Mild to severe pain in the affected joint, especially after long periods of the activities. This disease is mostly affected hip, spine, knee or hand.

When the joint is stressed, it may increase the pain.

Stiffness such as putting on shoes, walking, opening a jar, climbing stairs or leaning down to pick something up.

Weakness in muscles around the affected area.

Joints may be red, inflamed or swollen.