Knee Pain

How is the condition diagnosed?

Diagnosis of knee pain begins with the history and physical exam. This may be all that is needed to make the diagnosis.

Other cases may require further testing. For instance, joint x-rays of the knee are commonly taken. These can help diagnose a bone fracture, or break, and a bone tumor or cancer. Blood tests may also be ordered, such as a test called an antibody titer, if an autoimmune disorder is suspected. Other imaging tests, such as an MRI, may be done to look at the knee in more detail.

If arthritis is suspected, a procedure called arthrocentesis is often done. The procedure involves inserting a needle through the skin and into the knee joint to remove a sample of joint fluid for analysis.