Arthritis: Self-test

Test your knowledge about osteoarthritis! Select one answer for each statement on the left. Then see how you did by checking the correct answers and explanations.

1. Osteoarthritis

a) occurs more commonly in weight bearing joints

b) usually develops slowly

c) may cause joints to ache after physical work or exercise

d) all of the above

2. Common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:

a) pain

b) swelling

c) tenderness

d) all of the above

3. As a tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis, x-rays are:

a) not useful

b) limited in their usefulness

c) the only way a doctor can make a diagnosis

4. Which of the following is not a sign or symptom of osteoarthritis?

a) joint pain

b) stiffness

c) fever

d) bone rubbing on bone

5. Osteoarthritis

a) develops suddenly

b) always causes pain

c) usually occurs in the hands, hips, knees, low back or neck

var numQuestions=5; ans[1] = "d"; ans[2] = "d"; ans[3] = "b"; ans[4] = "c"; ans[5] = "c"; explainAnswer[1]="Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly and most commonly in weight bearing joints. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise."; explainAnswer[2]="Common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, swelling, and tenderness."; explainAnswer[3]="X-rays are often used in combination with other methods to diagnose osteoarthritis. However, x-rays are limited in their capacity to reveal how much joint damage may have occurred, and they do not usually show osteoarthritis damage until significant cartilage loss occurs."; explainAnswer[4]="Common signs of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness after getting out of bed, and a crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone. Fever is not a symptom of osteoarthritis."; explainAnswer[5]="Osteoarthritis usually comes on slowly and can occur in any joint. Most often, it occurs in the hands, hips, knees, low back, or neck. Not everyone with osteoarthritis feels pain, however. In fact, only a third of people with x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis report pain or other symptoms.";