Understanding Arthritis -- Diagnosis & Treatment
How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
A diagnosis of arthritis is the first step toward successful treatment. In addition to arthritis symptoms and a doctor's exam to check for joint swelling or loss of motion, blood tests and X-rays are commonly used to confirm and distinguish different forms of arthritis. For example, most people with rheumatoid arthritis have antibodies called rheumatoid factors (RF) in their blood, although RF may also be present in other disorders.
X-rays are used to diagnose osteoarthritis, typically revealing a loss of cartilage, bone spurs, and in extreme cases, bone rubbing against bone. Sometimes, joint aspiration (using a needle to draw a small sample of fluid from the joint for testing) is used to rule out other types of arthritis. If your doctor suspects infectious arthritis as a complication of some other disease, testing a sample of fluid from the affected joint will usually confirm the diagnosis.
Raynaud's Disease and Phenomenon
Important It is possible that the main title of the report Raynaud's Disease and Phenomenon is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.
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What Are the Treatments for Arthritis?
Treatment of arthritis generally includes occupational or physical therapy, exercise, drugs, and sometimes surgery to correct joint damage.
Treatments for osteoarthritis generally can help relieve pain and stiffness, but the disease may continue to progress. The same was true for rheumatoid arthritis in the past, but newer treatments for rheumatoid arthritis have been able to slow or stop the progression of arthritis damage.
The duration and intensity of pain and discomfort depend on the type of arthritis you have.
Conventional Medicine for Arthritis
In the case of localized pain, stiffness, and immobility, three-stage treatment consists of medication to relieve pain and inflammation, rest to let injured tissues heal themselves, and exercise to rebuild mobility and strength.
Joint Protection for Arthritis
Learning to protect your joints is an important part of arthritis treatment. With the help of an occupational therapist, you can learn easier ways to do your normal activities, such as avoiding positions that strain your joints; using your strongest joints and muscles while sparing weaker ones; wearing braces or supports for certain joints; using grab bars in the bath; using modified doorknobs, canes, or walkers; and using devices to help you with tasks such as opening jars or pulling up socks and zippers.
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