Hi there, I'm Kira Shepherd. When my kids were little, I spent a lot of time at the health care clinic. Children need an exam when they hurt themselves or run a high fever. Any other distressing symptoms are also best explored by a qualified physician. Thankfully, my local health care clinic always helped reassure me that the kids were healthy and developing well. I will share information about common diagnostic procedures and treatments performed at health care clinics. I will talk about alternatives, like going to the hospital or treating at home. My site will cover common symptoms and complications caused by a wide range of illness and injuries. Please visit my site often to learn more information. Thank you.
If you are suffering from arthritis, it can be difficult to know the root cause of your symptoms and the best treatment options for you without undergoing a series of tests. There are a few tests in particular that are common for those who are suffering from arthritis and are visiting an arthritis treatment care center.
Initial Questions
Your arthritis diagnosis will begin with your doctor having a conversation with you. During this conversation, you will be asked if you are suffering from any illnesses, if your family has a history of arthritis, and if you are taking any medications. They will also want to know how long you have been in pain.
Bodily Fluid Tests
Your doctor might want to analyze your bodily fluids to better understand the cause of your arthritis. You might be asked to give both a blood and urine sample. Your doctor might also test your joint fluids. When testing your joint fluid, your doctor will cleanse your joint and will then insert the needle used to draw joint fluid so that they can then come up with a better treatment plan for your arthritis.
Antinuclear Antibody Tests
The antinuclear antibody is a test performed to determine if there are antibodies in your blood. This test is used to determine if you have certain forms of arthritis that will often lead to antibodies forming in your blood.
MRI and Ultrasound Tests
Several imaging tests can be used to diagnose your joints. Magnetic resonance imaging is used to create a detailed image that will show your tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. A technician can also use ultrasound to create an image of these structures. These include the fluid-containing structures in your body. Your doctor might need to use ultrasound as guidance when injecting the joint with a needle.
X-Rays
Older diagnostic tools are also still used to show bone damage and cartilage loss. However, X-rays are not as effective when identifying arthritis early on and are more suited for when your doctor is trying to track the progression of your arthritis over time.
CT Scanners
A CT scanner also uses X-rays and has the ability to take X-rays from different angles. This allows your doctor to receive a clearer picture of internal structures from a cross-sectional view.
Once your doctor has run the right diagnostic tests, they will be able to determine the treatment options that will be right for you such as physical therapy, medications, natural remedies, or surgery.
Keep these tips in mind when looking for a local clinic to help treat arthritis.
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