An evaluation of joint pains begins with a history and physical examination.

Physical findings in someone with joint pains may include:

• Joint tenderness
• Joint redness
• Joint swelling
• Joint warmth
• Fever
• Rash
• Skin lump:
• Around the joints

Tests are necessary to determine the underlying cause for the joint pains.

Tests that may be used to evaluate joint pains include:

• Serum uric acid level
• Lyme disease assay
• HLA B27 assay
• Blood anti-DNAase B
• Blood anti-streptozyme
• Blood ASO titers
• Complete blood count
• Erythrocyte sedimentation rate: ESR may be elevated
• Throat culture or rapid strep screen: detects streptococcus bacteria
• Echocardiogram
• Arthrocentesis:
• Can confirm the diagnosis of gout
• Arthroscopy
• Arthrogram:
• Less commonly used
• MRI of joint

For more information:

• Arthritis evaluation
• Rheumatoid arthritis evaluation
• Osteoarthritis evaluation
• Gout evaluation
• Pseudogout evaluation
• Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis evaluation
• Septic arthritis evaluation
• Lyme disease evaluation