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Instrumental diagnosis of osteoarthritis
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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To diagnose osteoarthritis for greater accuracy, to assess the dynamics of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment, various instrumental research methods are currently used: radiography, arthroscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), scintigraphy, thermal imaging.
Using the above methods, it is possible to assess the thickness of the cartilage and synovial membrane, identify the presence of erosions in the cartilage, and determine the nature and amount of fluid in various parts of the joints. Particular emphasis should be placed on the earliest changes in osteoarthrosis: from slight roughness of the cartilage to deep erosions.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a direct visual examination of the joint cavity. It allows to establish inflammatory, traumatic or degenerative lesions of the meniscus, ligamentous apparatus, cartilage, synovial membrane. At the same time, it is possible to conduct a targeted biopsy of the affected areas of the joints.
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Histomorphological methods - synovial membrane biopsy
A synovial membrane biopsy is performed in two ways - by joint puncture or during arthroscopy. Various pathomorphological changes in the synovium, characteristic of certain nosological forms of joint damage, will be characterized later. In diffuse connective tissue diseases, a biopsy of the skin and internal organs is also performed.
Radioisotope scintigraphy
Radioisotope scintigraphy of joints is performed using osteotropic radiopharmaceuticals (pyrophosphate, etc.) labeled with 99Tc. These drugs accumulate primarily in areas of active bone and collagen metabolism. They accumulate especially intensively in inflamed joint tissues, which is visible on joint scintigrams.
The method of radioisotope scintigraphy is used for early diagnosis of arthritis, detection of subclinical phases of joint damage, differential diagnosis of inflammatory and degenerative joint damage.
Thermography
Thermography (thermal imaging) is a method for studying the intensity of infrared radiation by tissues. This method is used to remotely measure the skin temperature in the joint area, which is recorded on photographic paper as a contour shadow of the joint.
The method can be considered visualizing and at the same time indicative, since it allows one to judge the activity of inflammatory joint damage.