How Do You Diagnose Different Types Of Arthritis?
Arthritis causes pain, stiffness, swelling and limited mobility in the joints and other parts of the body. It can strike people of all ages levels. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis and being able to diagnose the different types of arthritis can help sufferers find the right treatment options. See your doctor for a physical exam, family and personal medical history, x-rays or joint aspiration. Get blood tests to determine whether you have rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory arthritis, lupus and other connective tissue disorders. Locate the point of your pain or stiffness. Gout is a form of arthritis that affects the big toe. Ankylosing spondylitis occurs mostly in the spine but can also affect shoulders, knees, hips or ankles. Bursitis affects the sacs of fluid (bursa) that cushion the bones and joints. Check for pain in areas other than joints. Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendons. Polymyalgia and polymyositis can cause pain and weakness in many muscles of the b
