BLOOD and FLUID TESTS Blood and fluid tests have several useful roles in managing arthritis. Blood tests can be done to help diagnose or rule out different types of arthritis. Blood tests can help monitor the activity of arthritis to help determine of medications are working properly. Blood tests may be needed to make sure …
IMAGING TESTS FOR ARTHRITIS Doctors can “look inside” your joint with various diagnostic imaging tests. X-RAY: x-rays are the oldest diagnostic imaging test, using radiation to create a simple photo of the surfaces of bones and joints. Often, people think that x-rays “don’t show anything”. However, x-rays are extremely useful in musculoskeletal medicine. Joint alignment, …
DO YOU NEED AN MRI? In all cases of arthritis, x-rays are very useful as the first imaging test. Often, x-rays will be the only test needed to assess the health of a joint. There are situations when more imaging is needed. Depending on what the concern is, your doctor may order an MRI, CT …
YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS-NOW WHAT? If your doctor has diagnosed with arthritis, you may feel overwhelmed, not knowing what to do next. Fortunately, arthritis is generally treatable, so that most people can live a productive, active life. Take the following steps to give yourself the best chance to keep your arthritis from controlling …
YOU HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ARTHRITIS-NOW WHAT? Read More »
WHEN SHOULD YOU SEE A DOCTOR FOR ARTHRITIS? It is reasonable to have mild aches from time to time, and no action needs to be taken if you are back to normal within a few days. However, if you get sudden severe pain in one or more joints with no trauma, especially in conjunction with …
DO I NEED JOINT FLUID TESTING? In many cases of arthritis, there is joint swelling. The fluid that accumulates in a swollen joint can provide clues to the type of arthritis that is involved. The joint fluid can be taken out of the joint in a procedure called aspiration. The procedure takes less than 5 …
HOW IS ARTHRITIS DIAGNOSED? Your symptoms: Your doctor will ask you many or all of the following: Where is your pain located? How long have you been having symptoms? How severe is your pain? How did the pain start? Was there an injury? What type of pain are you having? What are you unable to …
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS? Pain: pain is the main feature that defines arthritis. Pain can range from sharp and severe to dull and mild. Often, the pain is worse with movement. The pain may be in one or several joints, depending on the type of arthritis. Swelling: arthritis may cause fluid buildup in …
WHAT CAN CAUSE JOINT PAIN? A joint consists of bones that are connected together by ligaments. The joint consists of the, ligaments, muscles, tendons, and cartilage that have specific roles in joint function. Injury, damage, or inflammation in any of these areas can cause pain. Arthritis occurs because of problems that occur specifically within the …
SNAP, CRACKLE, POP-WHY IS MY BODY MAKING NOISE? Our musculoskeletal system is designed to move smoothly as we perform various tasks. But we have hundreds of moving parts, mainly muscles, bones, and joints. These parts have complicated interactions, and the reality is that we are not built perfect, and there are various noises that occur …
