- \n
- reviewing your medical history\u200b<\/li>\n
- ruling out other health conditions\u200b<\/li>\n
- looking for other risk factors that may contribute to the development of the OA\u202f\u200b<\/li>\n
- a physical exam to understand strength and presentation of the joint\u200b<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- X-rays and lab tests usually don\u2019t help to diagnose OA. What you see on x-ray doesn\u2019t always match\u202fyour symptoms\u200b<\/li>\n
- Your experience with your symptoms in your joint (pain and ability to move) will guide your care\u202fplan\u200b<\/li>\n
- You have a right to a respectful and culturally appropriate assessment and diagnosis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”18px” background_color=”#f2f2f2″ custom_padding=”20px|20px|20px|20px|true|true” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
KEY RESOURCES<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n
- \n
- Questions to Ask your Doctor about Joint Pain Handout\u200b<\/a>
\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\nView All Resources<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n
View References<\/strong><\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.08)” background_image=”https:\/\/toolkit.albertaboneandjoint.com\/osteoarthritis\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Background2.png” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”35px|35px|35px|35px|true|true” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]See a health care clinician<\/a> if you often have pain or constant pain, aching, swelling, and\/or stiffness in your hip or knee. <\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to be diagnosed early with osteoarthritis as the symptoms don\u2019t go away and they don\u2019t get better, especially if not treated. Developing ways or strategies to manage your osteoarthritis can slow the disease and the worsening symptoms. [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]A complete assessment for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee includes:[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
- <\/p>\n
- Reviewing your medical history<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Ruling out other health conditions<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Looking for other risk factors that may contribute to developing osteoarthritis<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- A physical examination<\/li>\n
<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/toolkit.albertaboneandjoint.com\/osteoarthritis\/wp-content\/uploads\/DataHip_MAPtoMOTION.png” title_text=”DataHip_MAPtoMOTION” align=”right” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”82%” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”35px|35px|35px|35px|true|true” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Your clinician will also do a medical history, including asking questions about the symptoms you\u2019re having. It helps if you can spend some time before your appointment writing down what you can remember about your joint pain and how it\u2019s affecting your activities.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” custom_padding=”35px|35px|35px|35px|true|true” border_radii=”on|20px|20px|20px|20px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]A physical exam will also be done. It will include examining the part of your body causing your pain and assessing movement and functional activities (like walking or getting out of a chair), and how your lower limbs look. It can also include measuring your height and weight.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”heading” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”40px” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#ffc212″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” header_2_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
SYMPTOMS<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]Osteoarthritis has some typical symptoms. If you have other symptoms not usually seen with osteoarthritis, your clinician will need to do some other investigations. While symptoms of osteoarthritis aren\u2019t the same for everyone, there are many symptoms that are usually seen with osteoarthritis.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.08)” background_image=”https:\/\/toolkit.albertaboneandjoint.com\/osteoarthritis\/wp-content\/uploads\/shapes-bg-1.png” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]You likely have hip or knee osteoarthritis[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
- <\/p>\n
- Movement-related joint pain (not due to an injury) that doesn\u2019t go away<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Aching<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Swelling<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- A joint that \u2019catches\u2019<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Joint stiffness in the morning that lasts less than 30 minutes<\/li>\n
<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]These symptoms may affect more than one joint at a time. Earlier injuries, other health conditions, and change in the size or look of the joint are also seen with typical osteoarthritis symptoms.[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”]You likely do not have osteoarthritis[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
- <\/p>\n
- A recent history of injury<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- A joint that \u2018locks\u2019<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- A joint that gives out<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Morning stiffness that doesn\u2019t go away after 30 minutes<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Symptoms that came on quickly<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- Joints that are hot and swollen<\/li>\n
<\/p>\n
- You just don\u2019t feel well<\/li>\n
<\/ul>\n
[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Your clinician will do more tests to find or to rule out other concerns, like an injured knee ligament, gout, inflammatory arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” bottom_divider_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.18)” bottom_divider_height=”38px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|50px||50px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”|50px||50px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”margin-right:0 !important; ||” border_width_all_tablet=”” border_width_all_phone=”0px” border_width_all_last_edited=”on|phone” border_color_all_tablet=”” border_color_all_phone=”#FFFFFF” border_color_all_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”STAGES OF OA” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ icon_color=”#6d125c” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”32px” icon_placement_tablet=”left” icon_placement_phone=”left” icon_placement_last_edited=”on|phone” image_icon_width_tablet=”” image_icon_width_phone=”30px” image_icon_width_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”30px” body_text_align=”left” body_font_size=”18px” image_icon_custom_padding=”20px|18px|20px|18px|true|true” body_text_align_tablet=”left” body_text_align_phone=”left” body_text_align_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_image=”off|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_width_all_image=”2px” border_color_all_image=”#6d125c” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
You\u2019ll hear terms like \u2018early\/mild\u2019, \u2018moderate\u2019, or \u2018advanced\/late\u2019 used to describe your osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n
However, these 9 standards never use these terms to describe you and\/or your treatment options. This is because the information in the standards can be adjusted to meet your needs for where you are right now. The toolbox of osteoarthritis treatments is for all stages of osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n
These words are also unfair to describe where you are in your osteoarthritis journey. For example, if you\u2019ve been managing your condition for some time your disease may be in the \u2018early\u2019 stage, but your journey may be \u2018advanced\u2019.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|50px||50px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”|50px||50px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”30px|0px||0px|false|false” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” border_style_all=”none” border_width_left=”1px” border_color_left=”#cccccc” border_width_all_tablet=”” border_width_all_phone=”” border_width_all_last_edited=”on|tablet” border_width_left_tablet=”1px” border_width_left_phone=”0px” border_width_left_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb title=”IMAGING” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#6d125c” icon_placement=”left” image_icon_width=”32px” icon_placement_tablet=”left” icon_placement_phone=”left” icon_placement_last_edited=”on|phone” image_icon_width_tablet=”30px” image_icon_width_phone=”30px” image_icon_width_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h1″ header_font=”|600|||||||” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”30px” body_font_size=”18px” image_icon_custom_padding=”20px|18px|20px|18px|true|true” header_text_align_tablet=”” header_text_align_phone=”left” header_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” body_text_align_tablet=”” body_text_align_phone=”center” body_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii_image=”off|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_width_all_image=”2px” border_color_all_image=”#6d125c” border_radii_image_tablet=”off|100px|100px|100px|100px” border_radii_image_phone=”on|99px|99px|99px|99px” border_radii_image_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]X-rays and lab test usually don\u2019t help to diagnose3<\/sup>3<\/sup>Bedson J, Croft PR. The discordance between clinical and radiographic knee
osteoarthritis: A systematic search and summary of the literature. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2008;9(1):1-11. doi: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/1471-2474-9-116<\/a>.<\/span><\/span> osteoarthritis. The clinical diagnosis is enough to begin planning your care and treating the osteoarthritis and your symptoms: Your pain or how well you can move the joint should guide how your osteoarthritis is managed. What\u2019s seen on x-ray may not always match your symptoms. It also doesn\u2019t predict how you\u2019ll respond to your treatment.<\/p>\nUsing x-rays to track how your osteoarthritis is progressing isn\u2019t usually done. Your care plan should be guided by your symptoms and choices you\u2019ve made through shared decision-making (SDM)<\/a>, Repeated x-rays don\u2019t add anything to planning your treatment, unless your symptoms change suddenly or unexpectedly, and an x-ray hasn\u2019t been done in 1 or 2 years.[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” top_divider_style=”arrow” top_divider_color=”#9ab9ad” top_divider_height=”20px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text module_class=”heading” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”40px” header_2_font=”Source Sans Pro|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_text_color=”#ffc212″ header_2_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”50px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||0px||false|false” text_line_height_tablet=”” text_line_height_phone=”1em” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_text_shadow_style=”preset1″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
ETHICS AND INCLUSIVITY<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
You have a right to a respectful and culturally appropriate assessment and diagnosis. You also have a right to a second opinion if you wish. Your clinical assessment should be complete to properly diagnose your condition.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][el_modal_popup modal_id=”sdm” trigger_element_type=”element_class” trigger_element_class=”sdm” modal_title=”Shared Decision Making” show_footer=”off” modal_custom_padding=”0px|20px|0px|20px|true|true” modal_header_custom_padding=”5px|10px|5px|10px|true|true” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”0e4bb1fa-d312-42c0-b873-269eda7f61b5″ modal_title_text_font=”|600||||on|||” modal_title_text_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
\n![\"Shared](\"https:\/\/toolkit.albertaboneandjoint.com\/osteoarthritis\/wp-content\/uploads\/image-23.png\")
SDM<\/p><\/div>\n
We mention evidence-based SDM techniques and processes a lot in these standards. SDM is an important part of family and patient-centred care. SDM is when you and your clinician share information and decide together what the best treatment option for you is. SDM is proven to lead to better outcomes for you, such as being satisfied with and having success with your care plan.<\/p>\n
Standard 2<\/a> describes how sharing the decision-making is important for building a care plan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
[\/el_modal_popup][el_modal_popup modal_id=”clinician” trigger_element_type=”element_class” trigger_element_class=”clinician” modal_title=”OA Clinicians” show_footer=”off” modal_header_custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px|true|true” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” modal_title_text_font=”|600||||on|||” modal_title_text_font_size=”18px” modal_body_text_font_size=”16px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
\nClinicians Who Can Diagnose OA <\/strong><\/div>\nClinicians Who May Take Part in the Assessment and Treatment of OA<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n- \n
- Family doctors<\/li>\n
- Nurse practitioners<\/li>\n
- Physiotherapists<\/li>\n
- Occupational therapists<\/li>\n
- Specialty physicians including:\n
- \n
- Sport and exercise medicine physicians<\/li>\n
- Rheumatologists<\/li>\n
- Physiatrists<\/li>\n
- Chiropractors<\/li>\n
- Orthopedic surgeons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n
Regulated Clinicians:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Family physicians<\/li>\n
- Nurse practitioners (NPs<\/span><\/span>, <\/span><\/span>RNs, LPNs)<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
- Physiotherapists (Allied Health)<\/li>\n
- Occupational therapists (Allied Health)<\/li>\n
- Pharmacists (Allied Health)<\/li>\n
- Registered Dietitians (Allied Health)<\/li>\n
- Psychiatrists<\/li>\n
- Psychologists\/Mental Health Therapists<\/li>\n
- Specialty physicians including:<\/li>\n
- Sport and exercise medicine doctors<\/li>\n
- Radiologists<\/li>\n
- Rheumatologists<\/li>\n
- Physiatrists<\/li>\n
- Chiropractors<\/li>\n
- Orthopedic surgeons<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Non-Regulated Clinicians:<\/strong><\/p>\n
- \n
- Podiatrists<\/li>\n
- Pedorthists<\/li>\n
- Kinesiologists<\/li>\n
- Exercise physiologists<\/li>\n
- Recreational therapists<\/li>\n
- Counsellors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
[\/el_modal_popup][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]VIEW NEXT<\/span><\/a>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
- A recent history of injury<\/li>\n
- Movement-related joint pain (not due to an injury) that doesn\u2019t go away<\/li>\n
- Reviewing your medical history<\/li>\n
- Questions to Ask your Doctor about Joint Pain Handout\u200b<\/a>