When you have pain that is not the result of a known injury, you begin to wonder what could be wrong. You wonder if the pain is temporary and will go away. But if you have osteoarthritis, the pain doesn't go away. It's a chronic condition.
When you are unsure of the source of your pain, your mind runs wild with possibilities. It's best to tame your imagination and work on getting an accurate diagnosis. Start by gathering facts.
3 Signs and 3 Symptoms
Researchers have concluded that there are 3 signs and 3 symptoms that correctly identify 99% of knee osteoarthritis patients. The signs you should be aware of include:
- crepitus
- restricted movement or range of motion
- bony enlargement
The symptoms include:
- persistent knee pain
- short-lived morning stiffness
- functional limitation
The Bottom Line
The researchers further concluded that, based on these criteria, clinical diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis can be made with certainty. Even if x-rays appear normal, the six criteria are sufficient to formulate the diagnosis.
You can help your doctor reach a proper diagnosis by articulating, in detail, your discomfort and limitations.
Sources:
Research presented at EULAR 2009: The Annual European Congress of Rheumatology. [http://abstract.mci-group.com/cgi-bin/mc/printabs.pl?APP=EULAR2009SCIE-abstract&TEMPLATE=&keyf=0875&sh]
