There are several things to look for when reading an X-ray for rheumatoid arthritis.
Doctors use X-rays and blood tests to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation and damage to the joints. While X-rays alone are not usually sufficient to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, they can provide doctors with good clues so they can order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Reading an X-ray for rheumatoid arthritis involves looking at the joints and surrounding tissues to determine if swelling and deterioration are present. Do not try to self-diagnose by reading your own X-rays. If you suspect rheumatoid arthritis based on an X-ray, consult with your doctor.
Instructions
1. Look at the spaces between the joints in your hands or feet to see if the space between the bones is bigger or smaller than the space on a previous X-ray. Increased joint space indicates swelling in the joint, a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Decreased joint space is a sign of joint erosion, which could be a result of rheumatoid arthritis. Deteriorating bones may look like a big lump instead of distinct bones.
2. Examine the color of the white area on the X-ray. The white areas showing your bones should be even through each bone. Areas that vary in intensity (ranging from dark to light) can indicate eroding or deteriorating bones.
3. Check for bone abnormalities and deformities. Advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis can cause extensive deformities, especially in the wrists and hands. Compare current X-rays with previous ones to check for bone deformities and examine the differences between X-rays of each hand to spot any differences.
Tags: rheumatoid arthritis, blood tests, diagnose rheumatoid, diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, joint space
