How Is Degenerative Joint Disease Diagnosed?
How Is Degenerative Joint Disease Diagnosed? When we face joint pain knowing the cause is key. Doctors have ways to find out if it’s degenerative joint disease or not. They look at your symptoms and may ask you about the pain you feel. This can help them understand what tests to use next.Medical exams are a common start for diagnosis. Your doctor will check where it hurts and see how well your joints move. They might press on areas to find exactly where the problem lies. If they think it’s needed they’ll guide you through more tests.
Imaging like X-rays or MRIs gives doctors a closer look inside your body. These pictures show changes in bones and joints that suggest this disease could be present. Sometimes blood work is done too which checks for other health problems that cause similar pains.
Medical Examination
A doctor’s visit often begins with a chat. You tell them where it hurts and for how long. They listen and note key points about your joint pain. This talk helps the doctor think of what might be wrong.
Next they will look at how you walk and move. The way your joints work tells them much about your health. If a joint doesn’t move right, or if moving causes pain, these are clues for the doctor.
Your medical history is also important in diagnosis. It can show patterns that point to degenerative joint disease. Past injuries or jobs that were hard on your joints add to the picture too.
Finally a good look at the sore spot comes into play. The doctor may press on different spots around the painful area to see how bad it feels. This hands-on check is part of every good medical exam when looking for this disease.
Imaging Tests
After the medical exam your doctor may suggest imaging tests. These tests let doctors see inside your body without surgery. They are key tools in finding out if you have degenerative joint disease.
X-rays are often the first step. They’re good at showing bone problems that come with this condition. If the X-ray shows changes in the joints or bones it points to possible joint disease.
MRI scans give a more detailed image than X-rays. They can show both hard and soft parts of your joints like cartilage and ligaments. This helps doctors spot early signs of damage before they get worse.
Another test used is a CT scan which combines many X-ray images for a 3D view of your joints. A CT scan can reveal small changes in bone structure better than regular X-rays do. The detail helps make sure nothing gets missed during diagnosis.
Last is ultrasound imaging which uses sound waves to look at live action inside your body. It’s useful because it lets doctors see how things move when they use them like bending a knee or turning an arm. It adds another layer of info that other tests might not catch.
Laboratory Tests
Sometimes your doctor will ask for blood to be drawn. This is to check for signs that are not seen on scans. Blood tests can show if there’s inflammation or an infection causing the joint pain.
The results help rule out other diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. It’s important because these conditions can look a lot like degenerative joint disease but need different care. With the right lab tests doctors narrow down what could be behind your symptoms.
It’s also common to take fluid from swollen joints with a needle. This test checks the fluid for crystals or other signs of problems in the joint itself. If they find something unusual it helps them understand more about what’s happening inside your body and how best to treat it.
Consulting Your Insurance Company
Understanding your insurance coverage is vital. Before you start with tests check what your plan covers. Reach out to your insurance company and ask about the details of your policy.
Many plans cover a range of diagnostic procedures. Still it’s smart to know which specific ones are included for joint pain and degenerative joint disease diagnosis. This way you can avoid surprise bills later on.
Be sure to ask if you need a referral from your doctor for these tests. Sometimes getting this approval first makes sure that the costs will be covered by your insurance provider. It’s one less thing to worry about when dealing with health concerns.
You might also inquire about any limits on coverage such as the number of visits or types of tests allowed per year. Knowing these details helps in planning how you use your benefits throughout the diagnosis process.
Lastly keep all paperwork organized both from medical examinations and communications with your insurer. If there are disputes or questions later on having good records can help clear up issues more quickly and ensure that you get the support needed for proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the first signs of degenerative joint disease?
A: Early signs include joint stiffness, especially in the morning, mild pain when moving or at rest, and swelling around joints.
Q: Can degenerative joint disease be diagnosed with a blood test?
A: Blood tests can't diagnose it directly but help rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.
Q: How long does it take to get results from imaging tests for this disease?
A: It varies by facility but typically X-rays and MRI results come back within a few days to a week.
