Osteoarthritis Diagnosis
Early diagnosis of osteoarthritis is important. An effective treatment plan depends on an accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis. A medical doctor that specializes in arthritis, known as a rheumatologist, can play an essential role in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis. Learn more about criteria for osteoarthritis diagnosis.
Arthrocentesis - What You Should Know
Arthrocentesis is used to diagnose and establish the cause for monoarthritis (arthritis in a single joint) or polyarthritis (arthritis in many joints). Arthrocentesis is also used as a treatment to drain large amounts of fluid in a joint and at the same time inject the joint with a corticosteroid.
Arthrocentesis is used to diagnose and establish the cause for monoarthritis (arthritis in a single joint) or polyarthritis (arthritis in many joints). Arthrocentesis is also used as a treatment to drain large amounts of fluid in a joint and at the same time inject the joint with a corticosteroid.
Is an MRI Needed to Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
MRI scans are being ordered in excess, according to some experts. In certain cases, a much less expensive, routine x-ray is just as telling as an MRI. Is an MRI needed to diagnose osteoarthritis?
MRI scans are being ordered in excess, according to some experts. In certain cases, a much less expensive, routine x-ray is just as telling as an MRI. Is an MRI needed to diagnose osteoarthritis?
Talk to Your Doctor!
When you talk to your doctor, what do you talk about? Do you find it difficult to talk to your doctor? Many patients don't share important information with their doctors and make a concerted effort to keep conversation light. If that's what you do, is enough being accomplished?
When you talk to your doctor, what do you talk about? Do you find it difficult to talk to your doctor? Many patients don't share important information with their doctors and make a concerted effort to keep conversation light. If that's what you do, is enough being accomplished?
Delaying Osteoarthritis Treatment
By delaying osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment, joint damage can become severe and disabling. Osteoarthritis patients must face whatever causes them to procrastinate about getting quality medical care.
By delaying osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment, joint damage can become severe and disabling. Osteoarthritis patients must face whatever causes them to procrastinate about getting quality medical care.
Joint Space Narrowing - What's the Significance?
Joint space narrowing can be seen on x-rays -- a common diagnostic procedure for evaluating arthritis. Joint space narrowing correlates with worsening osteoarthritis.
Joint space narrowing can be seen on x-rays -- a common diagnostic procedure for evaluating arthritis. Joint space narrowing correlates with worsening osteoarthritis.
When Should You Ask a Doctor About Your Symptoms?
When osteoarthritis patients experience early symptoms, they tend to think it's ordinary aches and pains. When symptoms persist, it's time to ask a doctor. Here are guidelines which suggest when it's time to ask a doctor.
When osteoarthritis patients experience early symptoms, they tend to think it's ordinary aches and pains. When symptoms persist, it's time to ask a doctor. Here are guidelines which suggest when it's time to ask a doctor.
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis
Early diagnosis of osteoarthritis is important. Osteoarthritis diagnosis precedes consideration of effective treatment options. Learn about osteoarthritis diagnosis.
Early diagnosis of osteoarthritis is important. Osteoarthritis diagnosis precedes consideration of effective treatment options. Learn about osteoarthritis diagnosis.
X-ray Evidence of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis shows on x-ray. The appearance of joints on x-ray help diagnose osteoarthritis. Joint damage has a characteristic appearance on an osteoarthritis x-ray.
Osteoarthritis shows on x-ray. The appearance of joints on x-ray help diagnose osteoarthritis. Joint damage has a characteristic appearance on an osteoarthritis x-ray.
What Is Range of Motion?
Generally speaking, range of motion refers to the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. Each specific joint has a normal range of motion, expressed in degrees after measured using a goniometer.
Generally speaking, range of motion refers to the distance and direction a joint can move to its full potential. Each specific joint has a normal range of motion, expressed in degrees after measured using a goniometer.
First Visit to the Rheumatologist
What's a rheumatologist? What can you expect from your first appointment with the rheumatologist?
What's a rheumatologist? What can you expect from your first appointment with the rheumatologist?
10 Reasons to Fire Your Doctor
Are you confident in your doctor's ability? Do you feel that you understand the directives and decisions made by your doctor? Are you encouraged to ask questions? Is the overall experience at your doctor's office positive? If you're answering no to most of these questions it may be time for a change.
Are you confident in your doctor's ability? Do you feel that you understand the directives and decisions made by your doctor? Are you encouraged to ask questions? Is the overall experience at your doctor's office positive? If you're answering no to most of these questions it may be time for a change.
Should You Change Doctors?
Since arthritis is chronic, and without a cure, regular appointments are scheduled with your doctor to diagnose and problem-solve. It's imperative that your needs are being met.
Since arthritis is chronic, and without a cure, regular appointments are scheduled with your doctor to diagnose and problem-solve. It's imperative that your needs are being met.
Patient Education: Can You Know Too Much?
Being an informed patient is not a substitute for trusting your doctor. Is it possible though for a patient to know too much? Is it possible that a patient can believe they are more knowledgeable than they actually are?
Being an informed patient is not a substitute for trusting your doctor. Is it possible though for a patient to know too much? Is it possible that a patient can believe they are more knowledgeable than they actually are?
The Patient-Doctor Encounter
The adherence to a treatment plan by a patient and the success of the treatment can be impacted by the patient-physician relationship.
The adherence to a treatment plan by a patient and the success of the treatment can be impacted by the patient-physician relationship.
Guide to Osteoarthritis: How Do You Know if You Have Osteoarthritis?
It usually is not difficult to tell if a patient has osteoarthritis. It is more difficult to tell if the disease is causing the patient's symptoms.
It usually is not difficult to tell if a patient has osteoarthritis. It is more difficult to tell if the disease is causing the patient's symptoms.
Rheumatologist Shortage Faces Arthritis Patients
As the population grows older, more people will develop arthritis and seek effective treatment. It has been projected that the increased need for practicing rheumatologists will result in a shortage during future decades.
As the population grows older, more people will develop arthritis and seek effective treatment. It has been projected that the increased need for practicing rheumatologists will result in a shortage during future decades.
Referred Arthritis Pain Can Cause Confusion
Diagnosing arthritis pain can sometimes be a difficult and long process. Identifying which joint is damaged and causing pain can be tricky. You're probably wondering what can be so tricky. If your knee hurts, your knee hurts. That may be, but it's not always that simple. Referred pain can cause confusion.
Diagnosing arthritis pain can sometimes be a difficult and long process. Identifying which joint is damaged and causing pain can be tricky. You're probably wondering what can be so tricky. If your knee hurts, your knee hurts. That may be, but it's not always that simple. Referred pain can cause confusion.