To arrive at a diagnosis of OA your doctor will undertake a physical examination of the affected joint. He/she will be looking for-
Your doctor may also arrange for x-rays of the joint which may show that the space between the bones is narrowing or that bony spurs have formed around the joint.
X-rays would also show if calcification is taking place. Calcification mainly occurs in the knee joints and is known as pyrophosphate arthritis which tends to progress more quickly and be more severe than 'standard' OA.
The European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) has published recommendations for the early management of arthritis. These state that "Clinical examination is the method of choice" although some imaging methods may be capable of detecting inflammation with greater sensitivity.
In advanced cases X rays will show the narrowing of joint space, osteophytes (bony spurs) and sometimes changes in the bone beneath the cartilege.
Blood tests may also be done but only to rule out other types of arthritis - there is no blood test that will show the presence of osteoathritis.
