How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
by: Arlene Gentallan
How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
Diagnosis is based on several factors:• Presence of sign and symptoms characteristic of osteoarthritis
Health history taking is an important tool for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis like fracture and other predisposing condition can be identified. The individual may verbalize classic manifestation of the disease which is joint pain that worsens with movement and is relieved by rest, as well as joint movement limitation.
• Physical examination
Physical examination may reveal joint deformity like bouchard nodes and heberden nodes which are excessive bone growth at the joints of the finger which twist it's linear orientation and angle.
• X-ray
X-ray may reveal formation of irregularly distributed osteopytes (bone spurs) at the edge of the affected joint. Cartilage loss may reveal a hollowed center of the bone end. Narrowing of the joint cavity may also be seen.
