First step of diagnosing osteoarthritis is to find out whether it is a primary type of osteoarthritis or a one which occurs in combination with other diseases or conditions. A doctor uses the following procedure to diagnose osteoarthritis: checking out the medical history of the patient, physically examine the patient, use imaging studies and laboratory tests results.

X-rays can be used to find osteoarthritis because the loss of cartilage can be studied form the following characteristics of the imaging method: we can see whether the space between the bone joints is narrowed, is there any change in the bone density, are some bone projections, cysts or erosions visible in the x- ray. If any of the above mentioned conditions are found positive, then further test are carried out to confirm osteoarthritis. Even if the results of x-ray come negative, then also you cannot decide that you are not affected by osteoarthritis.

On the other hand it might happen you may be suffering from initial stage of osteoarthritis, however the x-ray results shows strong presence of osteoarthritis. Only if other symptoms of pain are suspected by doctor, then only the doctor will ask for MRI examination. Physical examination of osteoarthritis is also possible where you can check out the presence of swelling around joints or hear cracking sound.