What tests should be done for osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic joint disease characterized by localized joint cartilage degeneration, bone loss, joint edge spur formation and joint deformity and subchondral bone denseness, also known as osteoarthritis, degenerative osteoarthropathy, proliferative arthritis, and age-related arthritis. The disease affects the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly patients to varying degrees. The cause of the disease is still unclear, but it is thought to be mainly related to aging and obesity. It may also be related to excessive joint activity, joint trauma, genetics, intraosseous hypertension, osteoporosis, metabolic and endocrine abnormalities. The degeneration occurs first in the cartilage, causing changes in the cartilage composition, resulting in a decrease or even loss of cartilage elasticity. The load-bearing cartilage surface changes from a normal smooth state to a ragged cotton wool state, with the subchondral bone exposed, and due to constant friction, the bone surface becomes smooth and ivory-like bone, while the non-load-bearing cartilage surface appears to be repaired, new bone is formed, and bone spurs are formed at the joint margins. In addition the whole process of the disease involves ligaments, joint capsule, synovial membrane and peri-articular muscles, eventually leading to joint pain and loss of function. The disease can occur in all joints of the body, but it is more likely to occur in the knee, hip, spine and finger joints, which are heavily weight-bearing. The knee and hip joints are particularly affected. Clinical manifestations: Almost all cases have varying degrees of pain, which progresses slowly with the course of the disease. The pain is obvious when the joint starts to move, and decreases after a little activity, but it increases when there is too much weight bearing and joint activity. Sometimes the pain can be radiated, for example, hip pain can be radiated to the inner thigh and near the knee joint. In the early stage, joint stiffness can be seen, such as when the knee joint is in a certain position for a long time, the movement is unfavorable and it is difficult to start, and then gradually joint instability, reduced range of motion of joint flexion and extension, and reduced walking ability, especially the ability to go up and down steps, squat, run and jump. Some patients with advanced osteoarthritis may also have some lower limb deformities, with the knee inversion being the most common, commonly known as “rotundity”. Osteoarthritis examination: 1, X-ray: can find different degrees of lesions, but can not be fully used to diagnose and determine the severity of osteoarthrosis, should be combined with the patient’s symptoms and signs. 2.Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): It can clearly observe the early changes of joint cartilage, synovium, ligaments, meniscus and other structures. 3.Bone densitometry: monitor the degree of osteoporosis. Treatment of osteoarthritis: 1. Patients should understand the dangers of the disease and the importance of early treatment to improve patient awareness of risk factors eliminating and avoiding pathogenic factors is beneficial to disease control and functional recovery. 2, joint protection: should limit joint weight-bearing activities, avoid prolonged standing or long-distance walking can use a cane to reduce the load on the affected joints; overweight people should reduce weight; to pay attention to the diseased joints to keep warm to avoid wind and cold; in severe cases, short-term bed rest and complete braking. 3, local physiotherapy: acute phase of joint fever, swelling should first local cold compress, after the reduction of heat and swelling can be applied hot compress. Chronic phase can also apply ultrashort wave and other physiotherapy measures. 4, functional exercise: reasonable exercise can restore muscle contraction, joint flexibility and prevention of osteoporosis, unreasonable exercise will increase the load on the joint, causing further damage to the cartilage, thereby aggravating the clinical symptoms. Do not take long walks, disco dancing, running, climbing and other activities. We advocate that exercise should be flexion and extension activities without weight on the joints as far as possible, suggesting that the healthy limb should be weighted on the ground, and the affected limb should be flexed and extended, or the joint flexion and extension exercises should be performed in a sitting position. Try to avoid squatting and frequent up and down stairs and other activities. For the hip and knee joints can practice sit-ups, straight leg raises, etc. 5.Medication: The specialist should assist in medication, such as glucosamine capsule, diacetin capsule, etc. 6.Joint cavity injection: sodium glass acid injection, 1 injection per week, 5 injections per course of treatment. 7.Surgical treatment: If the degree is mild and the conservative treatment is not effective, arthroscopic cleaning can be considered; if the degree is serious and affects the functional life, joint replacement can be taken.