Diagnostic Tests for Joint pain

Diagnostic Test list for Joint pain:

The list of diagnostic tests mentioned in various sources as used in the diagnosis of Joint pain includes:

• Physical examination
  • A systematic examination of the affected joint or joints looking for signs of inflammation, deformity, swelling and reduced range of motion - e.g. tenderness and warmth indicates inflammation; redness of the skin over the joint indicates gout, pseudogout, rheumatic fever or septic arthritis.
  • Note the pattern of the joints affected which can assist in diagnosis
  • Full physical examination looking for signs of systemic disease that can predispose or present with joint pain - e.g. rash and pitted nails of psoriasis; Raynaud's phenomenon of systemic sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus; doughnut-shaped rash of Lyme disease; butterfly rash of systemic lupus erythematosus; abdominal tenderness of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease; heart murmur of rheumatic fever or subacute bacterial endocarditis.
• Blood tests
  • Full blood count, ESR and CRP
  • Renal function tests and Electrolytes
  • ASO titre, if suspect rheumatic fever
  • Arthritis screen depending on suspicion including Rheumatoid factor, ANA and ENA antibodies, HLA-B27
  • Uric acid (marker of gout)
  • Coagulation profile
  • Lyme disease serology
  • Brucellosis antibodies
  • Blood cultures, if fever
  • Monospot test, if suspect Epstein-Barr virus
  • Ross River Virus serology
  • Rubella serology
  • Iron studies, if suspect hemochromatosis
  • Hemoglobin S test, if suspect Sickle cell disease
• Urine tests
  • Urinalysis for blood, sugar and protein
  • 24 hour urinary uric acid, if suspect gout
  • Homogentistic acid, if suspect ochronosis
• Mantoux test - if suspect Skeletal tuberculosis.
• Radiological examination
  • X-Ray of involved joints
  • Bone survey at times may be indicated
  • Bone scan will help diagnose Rheumatoid spondylitis and Ochronosis. It can detect the early development of malignant disease, osteomyelitis and inflammatory disease before changes are apparent on plain X-Ray
  • MRI may be indicated to diagnose torn menisci or other conditions
  • Ultrasound scan examination for joints such as shoulder and hip can be useful
• Synovial fluid analysis and culture - should be done if there is sufficient joint fluid.
• Urethral discharge smear and culture, if urethral discharge is present

Home Diagnostic Testing

These home medical tests may be relevant to Joint pain causes:

• Nerve Neuropathy: Related Home Testing:
  • Home Diabetes Test Kits
  • Home Blood Glucose Testing Kits

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