Arthritis is a broad term for joint inflammation or joint wear, including osteoarthritis and inflammatory forms such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Common symptoms include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, reduced movement, and difficulty using the joint for normal daily activities.
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.
X-rays show joint space loss, bone change, and alignment; ultrasound and MRI can help assess inflammation, fluid, and soft tissue involvement.
Treatment depends on the type and may include exercise, medicines, injections, and sometimes surgery.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
