Arthritis
Arthritis is a broad term for joint inflammation or joint wear, including osteoarthritis and inflammatory forms such as rheumatoid arthritis.
When to get help quickly: Prompt review is important if a joint becomes suddenly very hot, swollen, and painful, if there is fever, or if pain and swelling are rapidly worsening because infection or severe inflammation may need urgent care.
Common symptoms
Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced movement, and difficulty using the joint for normal daily activities.
When imaging helps
Imaging helps show whether a joint looks worn, inflamed, damaged, misaligned, or affected by fluid or soft tissue change, and it can help doctors tell one type of arthritis from another.
What radiology does
X-rays show joint space loss, bone change, and alignment; ultrasound and MRI can help assess inflammation, fluid, and soft tissue involvement.
What usually happens next
Treatment depends on the type and may include exercise, medicines, injections, and sometimes surgery.
Seen this on your report?
Your doctor or the radiologist who wrote it can tell you what it means for you.
Related articles
- Osteoarthritis: The Radiology Role and How It Is ManagedOsteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, and imaging helps show the pattern and extent of joint wear even though treatment is not based on images alone.
- What an X-Ray Is Actually Good ForX-rays are fast, affordable, and still incredibly useful. Here is what they show well and where their limits begin.
Related scan guides
- Hand X-RayA hand X-ray is a quick scan that uses a small amount of radiation to show the bones and joints of the hand. Doctors request it for injury, pain, swelling, finger problems, arthritis, or follow-up after treatment.
- Knee X-RayA knee X-ray is a quick scan that uses a small amount of radiation to show the bones and joint spaces of the knee. Doctors commonly request it for pain, swelling, injury, arthritis, difficulty walking, or follow-up after treatment.
- Pelvis and Hip X-RayA pelvis and hip X-ray is a quick scan that uses a small amount of radiation to show the hip joints and pelvic bones. It is commonly requested for hip pain, falls, limping, arthritis, suspected fracture, or follow-up after treatment.