Diagnosing Knee Arthritis
The first sign of knee arthritis is usually pain that worsens over time during weight-bearing activities like walking and standing.
Signs & Symptoms
Other symptoms of knee arthritis include:
- Difficulty walking, climbing steps or standing after sitting
- Instability or stiffness in the knee joint
- Pain, swelling, warmth or redness in one or both knees
Diagnosis
In addition to a physical exam and medical history review, we may use one or more of the following tests to diagnose knee arthritis:
- Blood tests—to check for autoimmune conditions.
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan—to produce detailed images to help diagnose knee damage.
- Joint aspiration—to remove fluid from the knee.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—to see detailed pictures of your knee.
- X-rays—of the knee.
