How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

If a patient exhibits symptoms of osteoarthritis, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis via a typical symptom profile and physical examination. X-rays can sometimes assist doctors in making a diagnosis.

Very occasionally, additional tests and procedures may be needed, mainly to exclude other possibilities of joint problems:

• Joint aspiration - may be carried out to obtain a sample of the fluid in the joint, mainly excluding diagnosis of gout or cancerous conditions in the joint.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) - may be used to get a better picture of the condition of the different structures inside the joint.