The primary methods for testing for arthritis in your hands involve a physical examination by a healthcare provider and X-rays. Blood tests may also be used to help determine the specific type of arthritis.
Examination by a Healthcare Provider
A doctor will physically examine your hands. This involves:
- Visual Inspection: Checking for swelling, redness, or deformities.
- Range of Motion Assessment: Evaluating how well you can move your fingers and wrists.
- Palpation: Feeling for tenderness, warmth, or crepitus (a grating sensation) in the joints.
- Functional Assessment: Observing how you perform simple tasks with your hands.
X-rays
X-rays of the hands can reveal:
- Loss of Cartilage: Narrowing of the joint space indicates cartilage loss, a hallmark of arthritis.
- Bone Spurs (Osteophytes): These bony growths are often present in osteoarthritis.
- Bone Damage: Erosion or cysts in the bone.
- Joint Deformity: Changes in the alignment of the bones in the hand.
Blood Tests
Blood tests can help differentiate between different types of arthritis. Common blood tests include:
- Rheumatoid Factor (RF): A protein often found in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis.
- Anti-Citrullinated Peptide/Protein Antibodies (ACPA): Another antibody frequently found in rheumatoid arthritis.
- Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP): These tests measure inflammation in the body.
- Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): May indicate an autoimmune disorder, such as lupus, which can sometimes affect the hands.
- Uric Acid: Elevated levels can indicate gout, which can sometimes manifest in the hands.
In summary, diagnosing arthritis in the hands typically involves a physical exam, imaging like X-rays, and potentially blood tests to confirm the diagnosis and determine the specific type of arthritis.
