Answer Summary

Members responded to someone questioning whether X-rays alone can identify rheumatoid arthritis after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis,... Read more

Members responded to someone questioning whether X-rays alone can identify rheumatoid arthritis after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis, with the overwhelming consensus being that it is entirely possible to have both conditions simultaneously and that X-rays do not always reveal RA. Several members shared that their own RA was only detected through ultrasounds or specialized blood tests like sed rate or RF factor, while others had negative bloodwork but still received a confirmed RA diagnosis based on joint erosion visible on imaging. A recurring theme was the importance of advocating for additional testing if symptoms like unexplained fatigue, fever, or mouth sores persist beyond what osteoarthritis typically causes.