How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Clinical Examination

GP’s and specialists can detect the presence of osteoarthritis through a clinical examination.
The healthcare professional will then pay attention to the following symptoms:
 

pain when moving stiffness swelling cracking deformation deviation

Radiography

An X-ray is not always necessary to diagnose osteoarthritis, but it can highlight
 

an osteophyte a joint space narrowing sclerosis a geode or bone cyst

Biological markers

In the near future, we will be able to use (blood or genetic) biological markers for an early diagnosis of the disease, even before the visible and irreversible structural lesions are displayed on X-rays or the NMR.

The information and advice given on this website are not a substitute for medical advice.

Translated from French by G. Johnen, 1st year Master's student in translation at the ULg.