Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is typically caught during annual physical exams. During the exam, physicians inspect the joints for swelling, sensitivity, and range of motion. If OA is expected, additional medical tests will be performed. X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be performed to visualize changes in the joints. While an X-ray cannot image cartilage it can reveal narrow spaces between joint bones and bone spurs. MRIs can directly image cartilage. MRI is not typically used for diagnosis of OA, but may be used for more intricate cases. Blood tests can be used to rule out other possible forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. Joint fluid can also be examined for elevated levels of inflammation and to rule out other causes of pain such as infections. Treatment of Osteoarthritis Most treatments for OA aim at relieving symptoms rather than reversing the disease. Painkillers such as acetaminophen are prescribed to reduce the pain. In mild to moderate cases nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to treat inflammation and pain. While effective at reducing pain, long-term use is associated with severe side effects such as liver and kidney damage, gastric bleeding and cardiovascular complications. In more severe cases, opioids and narcotics are used to relieve the pain.