Arthritis
See Also:
Arthritis:
Introduction & Overview
Arthritis: Types
Arthritis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Arthritis: Signs &
Symptoms
Arthritis:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Arthritis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods/Tools
Different diagnostic methods to detect arthritis
include:
I. Physical Examination: In physical
examination, the doctor looks out for following points:
Swelling:
Inflammation of the synovial membrane causes mild
joint swelling. Marked swelling indicates
excessive joint fluid which is a sign of
inflammation or bleeding into the joint.
Enlargement:
Bony enlargement is not the same as swelling.
Bony enlargement without joint swelling is hard
to touch and is not usually tender. This is a
specific characteristic of osteoarthritis and may
occur without joint pain subsequently leading to
rheumatoid arthritis.
Limited Motion:
The mobility of joints is assessed in two ways:
- Active Range Motion: The
patient voluntarily moves the joints.
- Passive Range Motion: The
doctor moves the patient’s joints and
compares it with active motion.
By comparing the two movements it can be
determined if the cause is due to muscle weakness,
bursitis or tendonitis. The doctor listens and feels
for crepitus, a crunching or grating sensation that
is caused by rubbing together of rough surfaces
inside the joint.
Spine Flexibility:
Spine flexibility is tested by asking the patient
to bend forward and touch the toes without moving
the pelvis, bend backward, lean from one side to
the other and twist upper body from side to side
(32).
II. Blood Tests: Blood
tests involve complete blood cell count, anemia and tests
for infection. Blood tests include:
Antibody tests: This
test helps in detecting various antibodies
suggesting the presence of arthritis. In patients
suspected to be suffering from rheumatoid
arthritis, the test for rheumatoid factor is
called for and the presence of 70-80% of this
antibody confirms the same. Similarly,
anticitrullinated cyclic protein (anti-CCP) test
and a test for antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) are
also done to detect rheumatoid arthritis and
lupus (SLE) respectively.
Rate of Erythrocyte
sedimentation and C-reactive protein level in the
blood: Elevated levels of C-reactive
protein and higher rate of Erythrocyte
sedimentation indicate severe inflammation (as in
rheumatoid arthritis). However, people suffering
from osteoarthritis indicate normal values.
Serum Uric Acid Test:
Uric acid level in blood is elevated in gout.
III. X-rays: Joint abnormalities due
to arthritis are detected with the help of x-rays. In
rheumatoid arthritis and gout the erosion is easily
detectable.
IV. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):
This test helps in assessing soft tissues, cartilage,
tendons and joint inflammation. An MRI helps in
diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis.
V. Scintigraphy: This radiographic
diagnostic method is adopted for detecting the bone
abnormalities by injecting radioisotope (a radioactive
dye) into a vein.
VII. Computed Tomography (CT): This
radiographic technique is used to scan and evaluate the
joints for hidden fractures, torn cartilage and other
structural abnormalities.
VIII. Arthrocentesis: In this method,
a small sample of synovial fluid is taken for
examination. An excess synovial fluid indicates bacterial
infection in the joint, crystal deposits, injury,
bleeding into the joint or synovial inflammation. An
increase in White Blood Cell (WBC) count in the synovial
fluid indicates infection or severe inflammation (33).
See Also:
Arthritis:
Introduction & Overview
Arthritis: Types
Arthritis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Arthritis: Signs &
Symptoms
Arthritis:
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Arthritis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
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