Arthritis Tests & Diagnosis

Health History

A doctor will begin by asking you routine questions that are related to your personal and family health history. Your family history can help predict whether you are likely to develop arthritis. Your personal and family health history can also reveal whether you are at risk for certain conditions that cause arthritis. You may not have started experiencing symptoms, but your doctor will want to screen you as a precautionary measure. Based on your answers, the doctor might choose to conduct the tests or refer to you a rheumatologist, a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating arthritis and related disorders.

Physical Exams

A doctor will conduct a physical exam to test your range of motion and flexibility. These tests are part of routine physical exams, so your doctor is able to track any changes over time.

A doctor will check how you are able to rotate your joints. If you have arthritis, you may notice that it is painful when the doctor rotates your joints. The doctor will also test the joint fluid. Especially with autoimmune arthritis, the joint might be sensitive, warm, or swollen.

Joint Fluid Test

A doctor may need to extract joint fluid to confirm arthritis and to determine the cause for pain. After removing the joint fluid, a lab technician will examine the sample under a microscope for a detailed analysis. The sample may reveal crystals or other indicators for what is causing the arthritis.

X-rays

X-rays can show whether conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic gout, and rheumatoid arthritis have damaged the bones and joints or caused deformities. In general, severe joint damage does not occur until arthritis reaches its later stages. In any case, some patients may not have noticed that they have been living with arthritis.

X-rays can also show whether certain bones are broken or have been broken in the past. These types of injuries, even when healed, can mimic symptoms of arthritis. An injury can also cause arthritis to develop in that particular part of the body.

Blood Tests

Blood tests can reveal whether there is an underlying infection. Blood tests can also check for certain autoimmune conditions and organ damage. Generally, blood tests are part of a routine physical exam. Doctors may order specialized blood tests when they suspect arthritis.