My X-Ray Shows That I Have Arthritis. Am I In Trouble?

by Joon Nah   BScPT
Registered Physiotherapist
updated June 14, 2024

It’s common to have X-rays ordered to assist in diagnosing joint pain, and the results often show that you have arthritis. But is this bad news? Usually not.

Joint wear-and-tear occurs in all of us. This type of arthritis is called osteoarthritis and is a common consequence of aging. It is a snapshot of the changes that have taken place in the joint over a very long period of time. Often these changes have nothing to do with the new pain that you are experiencing. In fact, if you were to examine the X-ray results of 100 random people over the age of 40, 90% would show some signs of osteoarthritis. However, only a small fraction of this 90% would report any symptoms of pain or stiffness at these joints!

An arthritis finding on an X-ray result is only extraordinary if it is occurring sooner than it should, if it is progressing more rapidly than expected, or if it is associated with other tests that indicate an inflammatory type arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.

X-rays are quick and easy to administer. Plus they can be helpful to discover conditions such as fractures and significant malalignments. However, arthritis findings are only one very small and often insignificant piece of the diagnostic puzzle. A comprehensive history and clinical assessment should guide the diagnostic process while imaging is only used to confirm findings that are discovered in the clinical examination.

About the author

Joon Nah

Co-founder, Physiotherapist Learn More about Joon Nah