There is no doubt that diagnosing arthritis in the early stages may reduce your exposure to complications or other disease problems later on. It is the first gateway that enables doctors to develop an integrated and effective treatment plan. Diagnosing the disease depends on multiple methods along with knowing the patient’s medical history in order to know the type of arthritis, its causes, and the extent to which the joint is affected. Therefore, if you are looking for information that will benefit you and guide you to the beginning of the treatment path, you should read this article.

Arthritis disease

Arthritis is a disease that includes stiffness and erosion of the joints where the two bones meet. It commonly appears with age after fifty in the joints of the hand and wrist, knee, shoulders, foot and ankle, and lower back. There are multiple types of arthritis that we learn about in detail below. 

Types of arthritis

There are several types of arthritis that differ in their causes, symptoms, and subsequent treatment methods, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis:
  It is an autoimmune disease that occurs as a result of the immune system attacking some healthy body systems, causing chronic arthritis. It usually appears in the joints of the fingers and toes. One must be alerted to the need to go to the doctor in the event of exposure to this condition, and to diagnose arthritis at an early stage so that it is not exposed to deformity and damage.
• Gout:
  Gout is a medical condition that occurs due to the accumulation of uric acid in the joints, affecting them and leading to arthritis, with severe pain in the toes.

• Psoriatic arthritis:
  It is a condition that psoriasis patients suffer from, and arthritis is diagnosed here by conducting a medical history that shows the skin symptoms of psoriasis, in addition to the symptoms of arthritis.  

• Viral arthritis:
  It occurs due to the patient being infected with recurrent viral infections, such as hepatitis virus, and one of its symptoms is joint pain.
• Osteoarthritis:
  It is one of the most common types of arthritis, and the patient suffers from it as a result of the erosion of joint cartilage. It is usually due to aging or advanced age, and its symptoms include pain and stiffness in the affected joint.

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5 of the most important methods for diagnosing arthritis

To create an integrated and sound treatment plan, treatment must be based on an accurate diagnosis, so we now learn about 5 of the most important methods for diagnosing arthritis in its early stages:

Clinical examination and medical history

The first thing the doctor begins after hearing the patient’s complaint is a clinical examination and a comprehensive medical history, which includes the following steps:

• Ask the patient about the symptoms he is experiencing in detail and when they started.
• Ask about family medical history, especially regarding previous arthritis.
• Clinical examination by examining the affected joint, and the patient’s ability to move the joint.

Blood tests

The doctor asks the patient to perform several blood tests that indicate the accuracy of the diagnosis of arthritis. The tests include the following:

1. ESR sedimentation rate test.
2. CRP analysis.
3. Uric acid analysis to diagnose gout.
4. Testing for autoantibodies that indicate rheumatoid arthritis.

X-rays 

Doctors rely on X-rays to detect several changes in the joints and surrounding tissues as well, the most prominent of which are:

• Cartilage erosion.
• Measure the distance between the joints.
• Clarify any bone deformities such as spurs.
• Showing uric acid crystals that form in gout.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

One of the best methods for diagnosing arthritis is magnetic resonance imaging, which helps detect soft tissues such as ligaments and cartilage. Through it, any inflammation or swelling in the joint can be detected, especially rheumatoid arthritis, which is difficult to identify on x-rays.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is used to evaluate the condition of the joint and detect swelling and the rate of fluid retention in the joints. This method is one of the most important methods of diagnosing the disease in its early stages, as it is possible to identify some changes that appear at the beginning of the infection and are not evident on X-rays.

You can also read:What are the ways to treat joint pain?

The most important factors affecting the diagnosis of arthritis

There are several factors that affect the diagnosis of arthritis and may provide initial results confirming the disease, the most important of which are:

• Patient age: The older the patient is, the more susceptible he becomes to arthritis.
• Gender: There is a study that indicates that women are more susceptible to arthritis than men.
• Medical history: If there is a family history of arthritis, this may confirm the diagnosis of the disease.
• Patient's lifestyle: There are some signs that may confirm that the patient has arthritis, such as excessive obesity or dependence on a certain type of food that causes gout.

Doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital adopt the latest methods of diagnosing arthritis to determine its type and the extent of its impact on the body, in order to begin an integrated treatment plan that helps alleviate the severity of the symptoms of the disease and prevents the various body systems from being affected.

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FAQs

Learn with us the most important questions about diagnosing arthritis and answer them in detail:

How is arthritis diagnosed?

As we mentioned, arthritis is diagnosed through examination, a comprehensive medical history of the patient, and a blood test along with other methods such as X-rays and MRI, which must be performed in an equipped and accredited hospital to ensure the correct diagnosis.

What tests are required for diagnosis?

The tests required for diagnosis are a blood test that shows the presence of antibodies, an ESR test, and other tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or magnetic resonance imaging. 

What is the difference between different types of arthritis?

The difference between the different types of arthritis lies in the causes and symptoms of each of them. Gout differs from rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis, and the specialist doctor is responsible for diagnosing each case and developing an appropriate treatment plan.

What symptoms indicate arthritis?

The most prominent symptoms that indicate arthritis are stiffness, redness, and swelling of the joint along with a feeling of heat and inability to move, and a constant feeling of fatigue and general weakness.

Can arthritis be detected in its early stages?

Yes, arthritis can be detected in its early stages, but it requires an experienced doctor because the symptoms of different types of arthritis are similar, so we advise you to go to the specialized clinics at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis.

Al Mousa Specialist Hospital has an elite group of the most skilled doctors who specialize in diagnosing arthritis using the latest methods. There is an integrated laboratory through which all required analyzes can be performed, in addition to radiology and magnetic resonance imaging units. With us you can get the best integrated medical care, an effective treatment plan, and continuous follow-up with the best doctors. 

Sources and references:

Arthritis Diagnosis

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take