Hand X-ray Findings in Arthritis

Radiographic Findings in Hand Arthritis

• The American College of Radiology recommends plain radiography as the initial imaging study to establish the diagnosis of arthritis in most cases, which can show degenerative changes in patients with arthritis in the hand 1
• Standard hand x-rays can assess multiple features of arthritis, including alignment abnormalities and deformity 2
• Soft tissue mineralization and calcinosis can be detected on hand x-rays 1

Clinical Utility

• In many cases, radiographs may be the only imaging examination needed to establish a diagnosis or confirm a clinically expected diagnosis, according to the American College of Radiology 1

Important Caveat

• Radiographs can sometimes be normal or show only nonspecific arthritis that doesn't allow distinction between degenerative osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, and crystalline arthritis based on imaging alone, and clinical correlation and potentially advanced imaging may be needed 1, 2