1. Osteoarthritis Tests - US News and World Report
A diagnosis of OA is usually made based on a patient's history of symptoms and a physical exam.

2. Osteoarthritis : Signs and tests  (Trust Mark: Doctor-Reviewed)
A physical exam can show: Grating of a joint with motion; Joint swelling; Limited range of motion; Tenderness. An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of the joint space, and in advanced cases, wearing down of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.• Reviewer: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.