Arthritis diagnosis
Diagnosing arthritis can be difficult because some symptoms and signs are common to many different diseases. When arthritis is suspected, the physician will obtain a detailed medical history from the patient and do a physical assessment. It is important for patients to give a complete medical history. Examples of questions that the physician may ask the patient are as follows: Is the pain in one or more joints? For instance, lets look at two of the more common types of arthritis: Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative type of arthritis causes: Stiffness, pain and swelling in the affected joint Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is the most common inflammatory form of arthritis: Low energy and fatigue Blood tests are often ordered. Blood tests will evaluate the patient for some of the more common causes of aches and pains. Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, gout, and thyroid disease are particularly important to rule out. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are helpful in detecting inflammation. Muscle enzyme problems point toward muscle problems as a cause of aches and pains. The presence of anemia or the presence of abnormalities in liver or kidney function may not only provide clues to diagnosis but also direct therapy since medicines used to treat arthritis may adversely affect liver or kidney function. Imaging tests such as x-rays may also be used in the diagnosis of OA or RA. More recently, magnetic resonance imaging, (MRI) has been used to help diagnoses and stage disease. The physician may need to see the patient more than once to make and accurate diagnosis. Symptoms vary from person to person and usually begin on one side of the body.
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