Do we need radiographs to diagnose osteoarthritis?
The usefulness of plain radiography in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is reviewed. While plain radiography is frequently used to define osteoarthritis in research and is traditionally discussed as a diagnostic modality in clinical practice, recent magnetic resonance imaging studies suggest that plain radiography has limited ability to detect osteoarthritic features at an early stage of disease such as might be encountered in general practice. Nevertheless, X-rays do play a role in the diagnostic process in general practice, but their usefulness relates more importantly to the exclusion of other diagnostic possibilities rather than confirmation of disease. More research is needed to develop diagnostic tools for osteoarthritis, particularly in clinical practice, as well as algorithms and guidelines for use of plain radiography in patients with chronic joint pain.
Arthritis Research Centre of Canada, University of British Columbia, 895 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, Canada V5Z 1L7. jcibere@arthritisresearch.ca
Jolanda
J
Cibere
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D012720:Severity of Illness Index