How to Read an X-ray With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Doctors use X-rays and blood tests to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation and damage to the joints. While X-rays alone are not usually sufficient to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, they can provide doctors with good clues so they can order blood tests to confirm the diagnosis. Reading an X-ray for rheumatoid arthritis involves looking at the joints and surrounding tissues to determine if swelling and deterioration are present. Do not try to self-diagnose by reading your own X-rays. If you suspect rheumatoid arthritis based on an X-ray, consult with your doctor.

Instructions

• 1

  Look at the spaces between the joints in your hands or feet to see if the space between the bones is bigger or smaller than the space on a previous X-ray. Increased joint space indicates swelling in the joint, a common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis. Decreased joint space is a sign of joint erosion, which could be a result of rheumatoid arthritis. Deteriorating bones may look like a big lump instead of distinct bones.

• 2

  Examine the color of the white area on the X-ray. The white areas showing your bones should be even through each bone. Areas that vary in intensity (ranging from dark to light) can indicate eroding or deteriorating bones.

• 3

  Check for bone abnormalities and deformities. Advanced stages of rheumatoid arthritis can cause extensive deformities, especially in the wrists and hands. Compare current X-rays with previous ones to check for bone deformities and examine the differences between X-rays of each hand to spot any differences.