4How to Diagnose Erosive Osteoarthritis
Medical History
To diagnose erosive osteoarthritis, your doctor will ask some questions about your medical history. These include a history of osteoarthritis or arthritis, hand overuse, or hand injuries. They also need to know whether you have a family history of osteoarthritis and arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis as its symptoms are very similar to those of erosive osteoarthritis. Scientists believe that first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings, are at a higher risk of developing the disease. During the appointment, your healthcare provider may also need to know whether you have systemic symptoms like weight loss, tiredness, rash, or low-grade fever. Although these signs do not usually happen in people with erosive osteoarthritis, they may appear in inflammatory-type arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. [5]
