BONES 101 | ARTHRITIS | BONE CANCER | JOINT PAIN | BONE HEALTH
Bone Tests
Doctors typically ask about the patient's medical history in order to determine risk of various hereditary bone and joint problems, and to use as a guide for what types of problems to look for during the testing.
Physical examination may show
- Join Fluid Buildup (effusion)
- Deformed joints (possible rheumatoid arthritis) or bone spurts
- Tender Joints
- Joint discoloration
- Loss in range of motion
- Bumps present in arthritis or bone cancer inflammation
X-rays tests can show the image of the bones and joints from one angle per x-ray image. X-rays, can show the location, size, and shape of a bone deformity or tumor. If x-rays suggest arthritis or bone cancer, the doctor is likely to recommend further, specialized imaging tests. Arthritis or bone cancer can be detected using x-rays and if the doctor sees anything suspicious, he may order further MRI or CT scan tests.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure uses a powerful magnet linked to a computer to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body without using x-rays. This test shows images of the tested areas from a number of different angles and can show more various types of ailments.
Fluids collecting in the joint (effusion) may be a sign of arthritis. The joint may be tender under gentle pressure, or may be warm and red (common in infectious arthritis and autoimmune arthritis). This test is easy to perform in comparison to MRIs or other imaging tests.
Blood tests show levels of Alkaline Phosphatase which is present in the blood when a broken bone is mending, or when a disease or tumor causes production of abnormal bone tissue. This test can show high levels of alkaline phosphatase, which can be normal in growing children and adolescents so this test is not a completely reliable indicator of bone cancer.
- Angiogram - x-ray of blood vessels
- Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan - bone test in which a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream, collects in the bones and scanned
- Biopsy - removal of a tissue sample from the bone tumor to determine whether cancer is present
- Computed Tomography (CT or CAT) Scan - a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body, taken from different angles, that are created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine