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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

    Related Topics
    Osteoarthritis Rheumatology
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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    The diagnosis of osteoporosis can be made using conventional radiography and by measuring the bone mineral density. The most popular method of measuring BMD is dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. In addition to the detection of abnormal BMD, the diagnosis of osteoporosis requires investigations into potentially modifiable underlying causes; this may be done with blood tests.

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    Dr Ryan Hislop

    Chiropractor

    Ryan Hislop is the Clinical Director at the Orange Chiropractic Health and Wellness Centre. As an experienced and evidence-based diagnostician, Ryan works largely by medical … View Profile

    My apologies “Anonymous”, I must have misread the question after a long day.

    Osteoarthritis is diagnoised through a history, examination and if necessary, investigation to determine if the person is suffering from this condition.

    Signs that may help us to suspect osteoarthritis are:
    - joint stiffness first thing in the morning lasting no more than 30mins
    - persistent pain
    - worsening pain when the joint is used
    - often in those aged over 40yrs

    Examination findings will often find joints which are swollen or larger than normal (readily seen in osteoarthritis of the hands and knees). Joints will also have a reduced range of motion and may have crepitus (clicking, grinding etc). Orthopedic tests can be conducted to determine which joint is involved.

    Investiagions can help with a diagnosis.

    Xrays: Images may show cartilage breakdown via a narrowing of joint space. Bone spurs around a joint may also be revealed. Arthritis can show up on xray before and symptoms are present.

    MRI can look at bone and cartilage to determine the condition of both tissues.

    Blood tests do no test for osteoarthritis however can be used to rule out other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

    A more invasive procedure known as arthrocentesis (joint fluid analysis) can aspirate (withdraw) fluid from an inflamed joint. This is sent to the lab to determine what is causing the swelling in the joint. It is often used to determine if it is due to gout or an infection.

    I hope this helps, and once again apologise for mis reading the initial question.

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