Arthritis: How is it diagnosed?

What tests determine whether a person has arthritis?

- No name / No state given

Mayo Clinic rheumatologist April Chang-Miller, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

No single test can diagnose arthritis. Instead, a variety of examinations and diagnostics tests may be used to establish a diagnosis, including:

Physical examination to check for tenderness, redness, warmth, stiffness or fluid in a joint
Personal and family medical history
Blood tests
Urine tests
X-rays and other imaging tests
Removal of fluid from a swollen joint for examination (joint aspiration)

If you have pain, stiffness, swelling, or difficulty moving a joint or doing daily activities, see your doctor. These may be signs and symptoms of arthritis.