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United States
- Glossary
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- | Site Index
- Your knee anatomy
- Osteoarthritis self assessment
- Getting diagnosed with osteoarthritis
- Osteoarthritis treatment options
- More information on osteoarthritis
Getting diagnosed with osteoarthritis
The most important thing you can do if you suspect you have osteoarthritis is to get a proper diagnosis and begin early aggressive treatment. The earlier you begin treatment, the easier osteoarthritis is to control.1 Talk to your doctor or use the physician locator to find a specialist.
An osteoarthritis diagnosis usually has four parts. A medical history and physical exam are used to make the diagnosis and joint aspiration and X-rays or MRIs are used to confirm the diagnosis.2
- Medical history—This is your doctor’s best tool to diagnose osteoarthritis. Use the tips below to discuss your symptoms, family history and past medical conditions
- Physical exam—You doctor will look for characteristic signs of osteoarthritis, such as swelling, tenderness and loss of motion
- Joint aspiration—After applying a local anesthetic, your doctor will remove a small amount of fluid from your knee joint. Lab tests on this fluid can help confirm osteoarthritis and rule out other conditions
- X-rays or MRIs—These images can show damage inside the joint. Your doctor will be looking for the deterioration of cartilage that is characteristic of osteoarthritis
The more information you can give your doctor, the more effective the osteoarthritis treatment plan will be. When talking to your doctor follow the tips below and try to be as thorough as possible. It may help to write down some thoughts beforehand that you can bring to the appointment.
- Describe your knee pain in detail. Are there certain areas that hurt more than others? At certain times of the day?
- Discuss the effects on your lifestyle. Do any specific activities, such as working, exercising, gardening, and/or golfing, cause you pain?
- Tell your doctor about all the lifestyle modifications you have tried and their results.
- Be sure to mention any medications or treatments you have used to relieve your pain. What were the results? Were there any side effects?
- Don’t forget to discuss the osteoarthritis treatment plan your doctor recommends. Following the treatment plan is important so ask for it in writing and bring up any concerns you have.
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1. How to care for yourself. The Arthritis Association Web site. http://ww2.arthritis.org/conditions/self_care.asp. Accessed April 21, 2009.
2. Knee pain: test and diagnosis. Mayo Clinic Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/knee-pain/DS00555/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiagnosis. Accessed April 21, 2009.
3. Sun SF, Hsu CW, Hwang CW, et al. Hyaluronate improves pain, physical function and balance in the geriatric osteoarthritic knee: a 6-month follow-up study using clinical tests. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14:696-701.
2. Knee pain: test and diagnosis. Mayo Clinic Web site. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/knee-pain/DS00555/DSECTION=tests%2Dand%2Ddiagnosis. Accessed April 21, 2009.
3. Sun SF, Hsu CW, Hwang CW, et al. Hyaluronate improves pain, physical function and balance in the geriatric osteoarthritic knee: a 6-month follow-up study using clinical tests. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14:696-701.