<s>[INST] How Do You Arrive at a Proper Diagnosis? [/INST] When I see people in the clinic I do specialized studies involving x-rays and bloodwork. I review their symptoms, look at their family history, other medical conditions, and then on a physical exam, I look for something called synovitis of the joints, which is swelling and inflammation that is more typical with inflammatory arthritis. With imaging we look to see if there are proper spaces between the joints. We might see that the joints are rubbing on each other with osteoarthritis. 

With inflammatory arthritis, I might see erosions, which look like someone has taken a bite out of the bone. This can also be seen with gout. Examples of blood tests would include uric acid levels, which is a test for gout, an ANA - antinuclear antibody test, which might show lupus, and rheumatoid factor could indicate rheumatoid arthritis. Source: Illinois Bone & Joint Institute. Link: https://www.ibji.com/blog/rheumatology-autoimmune-care/common-questions-about-arthritis/. Field: Rheumatology. Disease: Arthritis </s>