Tests Used to Reach a Proper Arthritis Diagnosis. 2

Posted by Green on January 16, 2010

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5. Evaluating function: Many kinds of arthritis impair function. By assessing an individual’s function, the doctor can gather some valuable information. Asking the patient to perform tasks that require strength, mobility, flexibility and stamina, the doctor can assess the joints ability to perform certain tasks. If a person is unable to perform these tests, the doctor can relate that to the extent of the disease process. If the muscles are weakening, then that could give the doctor a clue that the person is not getting enough exercise or spends most of their time sedentary.If this is the case, it might alert the doctor to ask more questions about the level of pain the person is experiencing. Loss of mobility is many times a direct result of inflammation. If stamina is an issue, this may indicate increased pain, increased inflammation and an increase in disease activity.

Each of the different diseases of arthritis has it’s own characteristics. Some forms of arthritis, like Osteoarthritis, are relatively easy to diagnosis. This form of arthritis is not as complex and therefore can be diagnosed with a minimal amount of testing and in a fairly short period of time. But some of the other inflammatory forms of arthritis are much more difficult to make a conclusive diagnosis. With inflammatory forms of arthritis, many of them have similar symptoms and some overlapping symptoms. Because the inflammatory forms of arthritis are more complex to diagnosis, it takes a longer period of time and usually several tests have to be performed over a period of time. This whole process can become very frustrating for the person waiting for some answers.

Since a positive diagnosis can take weeks to months, it is very important for people to go to the doctor soon after experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned at the beginning. The longer they wait they increase the risk of more damage being done to the joints or muscle fibers. It has been proven, through research, that early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of the inflammatory disease process. With early detection and proper treatment many times the disease process can be slowed down or even halted. If left undiagnosed and untreated the person runs the risks of joint damage leading to joint replacement surgery or deformities that decrease a person’s ability to function independently.

As you have read, getting a proper diagnosis is very important. Just sitting back and not seeking help for your joint aches and pains could possibly lead to loss of function, joint deformity, and eventually loss of independence. Knowing that the doctors do have specific tests they can perform to determine the type of arthritis you may have or rule out a diagnosis of arthritis is worth a trip to see your healthcare provider. Once the proper diagnosis has been made, there are several medical and non-medical treatments for all the different forms of arthritis. Remember early diagnosis and aggressive treatment can reduce the symptoms, possibly slow the disease progression, and possibly help avoid joint replacement surgery in the future. Don’t let another day go by if you suspect you have any form of arthritis. See your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis. Your joints will be glad you did.