Arthritis is a serious medical condition that can progress without any evident symptoms and result in decreased mobility and chronic pain in patients. This necessitates the timely diagnosis of arthritis along with choosing a treatment option that is the best for each patient’s individual needs. Mentioned below are a few tips on what to expect when you go for your arthritis-related medical check-up.
The Proper Medical Diagnosis Of Arthritis
Once you suspect the symptoms you have been experiencing are associated with arthritis, the ideal first step would be to pay a visit to your physician. Based on an initial examination, they might be able to tell you whether you have arthritis or that you are in the early stages of the onset of the disease. The observation can be made purely based on what stage of the disease you are at when the examination is being done. If you have progressing arthritis, your general physician may refer you to a specialist for further tests and examinations.
What To Expect During An Examination
The first and foremost step in diagnosing arthritis is the physical examination. The trained medical professional would check your joints for any kind of pain, redness or swelling. The doctor may also check how well you can move your limbs and connected joints. Limited mobility is a clear indication of an advanced stage of arthritis. The tests following the physical examination routinely include fluid analysis including urine, blood and joint fluid analysis. Withdrawing fluid from the joint may be a painful process. To reduce discomfort, the lab technician or the doctor performing the procedure may cleanse the joint area and numb it before they insert a needle to draw the fluid. Such laboratory tests are helpful in identifying the type of arthritis a patient has.
Additional tests include x-rays that use a low level of radiation in order to visualize the bones in the affected areas. Bone spurs, cartilage loss and bone damage can be identified with the help of x-rays. Tests such as CT scans, MRIs and ultrasound scanning can also help with identifying various issues associated with arthritis in different parts of the body.
Arthritis is a medical condition that is manageable with the help of prescription medication, physical therapy and supporting therapy using alternate medicines. A combination of such methods is usually found to be the most helpful in improving the quality of life of those affected by arthritis.
