WHAT TESTS DO I NEED TO DIAGNOSE KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)?

WHAT TESTS DO I NEED TO DIAGNOSE KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS
  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. 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.