Question about arthritis

I have been wondering if I have arthritis.  How can they tell if you have arthritis?  What kind of test do they do? Thanks Stacey

Hi Stacey They can do a blood test to determine if you have rhuematoid arthritis. I have RA and I had a blood test for them to determine one way or the other. Good luck keep me posted I have had RA for over 30 years and during that period that have introduced so many new medications including ones that we actually slow the progression of the RA Pamela

Stacey, The simple solution is to stop wondering and ask your doctor. Arthritis is a term that refers to around one hundred conditions all of which have to do with pain and inflammation of one or more joints. The type of test they run depend on the type of arthritis your doctor may think you have. If the condition effects just one or two joints then you doctor then your doctor may only use an X-ray to diagnose the condition. If it effects many joints or you have other symptoms then the diagnosis will probably begin with x-rays and a blood test. For more information on the symptoms and treatment of arthritis here is a great site to visit http://arthritis-symptom.com/ Rusty

Hi Stacy.  The doctor I went to, she's a specialist in Arthritis, examined me, had me walk and also checked my fingernails, whatever for I don't know.  She also ordered blood tests and xrays of the areas that I complained about.   Good luck.

I urge you to go see your PCP for tests too.  You might want to "take notes" before you do of your own observations on pain, time of day, activities, etc. Two types of arthritis; Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis. "Osto" is a degenertive disease of the cartalige between joints and causes bone on bone friction, hence inflamation, pain and more degeneration. "RA" is a chronic disease of joints that causes stiffness, swelling, weakness, loss of mobility, and leads to damage and eventual destruction of the joints.