Arthritis diagnosis precedes treatment.
With over 100 types of this disease, the early symptoms can overlap, making diagnosis difficult.
During diagnosis, the doctor will look for specific signs, symptoms as well as the disease characteristics.
The doctor will evaluate your medical history and will also perform as physical examination.
The doctor will also carry out blood tests as well as imaging studies.
Your medical history provides information about your past and current medical conditions.
For the doctor to evaluate your medical history, he or she will ask you to fill out a written questionnaire on your first visit.
The questionnaire will require you to list any current medications that you may be taking, medication allergies as well as any past and present medical conditions you may be getting treatment for.
You may also be required to give the name and contacts of your previous doctor.
Arthritis diagnosis will also involve a physical examination.
During this examination, the doctor will try to determine if there are any visible signs and symptoms of the disease.
The doctor will be looking for redness, warmth, stiffness or tenderness around the affected joint.
He will also check for joint fluid, swelling and bumps or nodules.
The pattern of the affected joints, fever and fatigue are also some of the things that the doctor will try to establish during the examination.
After a medical history and a physical examination, your doctor will most likely need more information.
Here, blood tests will be carried out to provide specific information.
The doctor will use the results of the blood tests to confirm whether you have arthritis or not.