WHAT TESTS DO I NEED TO DIAGNOSE KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)?
- Diagnostic imaging: allows your doctor to “see” what is going on in the joints of the body. X-rays can be very useful and should be done in all evaluations for osteoarthritis. In some cases, other imaging tests such as MRI, CT scanning, or ultrasound may be needed.
- Blood testing: is not typically needed to diagnose osteoarthritis. However, if there is a possibility of a medical problem rather than structural joint problems, then a panel of blood tests may be recommended by your doctors.
- Fluid analysis: If the knee joint is swollen, examination of the fluid can be worthwhile to rule out certain diagnoses other than osteoarthritis. A simple office procedure is required where your doctor will extract the fluid from the joint with a needle.
