Though early symptoms are the first indication of an arthritic
condition, there is much more information which needs to be
gathered.
There are more than 100 types of arthritis and related rheumatic
conditions. For a patient to obtain a specific diagnosis (i.e.
What type of arthritis do I have?), a doctor must evaluate
the patient's:
Medical history
Current physical examination
Diagnostic tests
Assessment of disease progression
Together, the criteria formulate a clinical picture which
must be routinely re-assessed by your doctor. It's important
for you to learn the major differences between the various
types of arthritis. An understanding of the primary characteristics
associated with each type of arthritis will help you recognize
what is and is not important to report to your doctor with
regard to your own condition.
