Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

When a person presents to a physician with complaints of joint pain and swelling, the doctor understands that numerous conditions could cause these symptoms. The history you provide and the results of your physical exam may point to one or more diagnoses. It is helpful to have further evidence to help clarify one diagnosis and [...]

People with OA can develop swelling and redness around the joints of their fingers. Bumps around the farthest joints in your fingers (the ones farthest from your wrist) are called Heberden’s nodes. They are typically about the size of a pea and are sometimes painful when they first develop, but frequently become less painful later. [...]

Your doctor makes the diagnosis of OA on the basis of your history and the results of your physical examination. People with OA usually complain of pain, stiffness, or joint swelling, or some combination of these symptoms. During your physical exam, your doctor will pay special attention to your joints. He or she will check [...]