A medical provider will diagnose osteoarthritis through a combination of physical examination, discussing your symptoms, using x-ray or MRI imaging, and ruling out other causes through further testing.[1] OA is often classified on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, which ranges from 0 (no OA) to 4 (severe OA).[2]
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by a medical provider through a physical examination, discussion of symptoms, imaging tests like x-rays or MRIs, and ruling out of other conditions. It is often classified on the Kellgren-Lawrence scale, which ranges from 0 (no OA) to 4 (severe OA).