Are X-rays needed for an arthritis diagnosis?

The role of x-rays in arthritis diagnosis may not be what many consider!

How is arthritis diagnosed?

Generally a "provisional diagnosis"  is made when the vet:

a) asks the pet parent lots of questions to understand changes in your dog's function and behaviour

b) does an assessment where they move joints and press areas to see the dog's reaction

What does arthritis look like on x-ray?

https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/pain_management/multimodal-pain-management-for-canine-osteoarthritis/

 Arthritis on x-ray shown by:

a) joint narrowing (cartilage thins so looks like bone on bone)

b) excess bone growth (osteophytes)

c) bone hardens just below cartilage (subchondral sclerosis)

If a dog has severe symptoms of arthritis does this mean the x-rays will be bad too?

 Interestingly it has been shown for humans and dogs, that just because x-rays show advanced arthritis doesn't mean the dog (or human) will be disabled. Dogs can be severely affected by arthritis but show little arthritis on x-ray, and the reverse is true. A dog can present quite healthy and well but have a lot of joint changes indicating severe arthritis. 

So why should we get x-rays? 

 We don't get x-rays to confirm a diagnosis but, in fact, to exclude other diseases. For example, the symptoms of hip arthritis can be very similar to bone cancer of the hip, so in this case an x-ray helps to confirm arthritis and rule out cancer. 

Regardless what amount of arthritis is seen in the x-ray, we treat the dog in front of us and however they present!

 Check out the YouTube video - Are X-rays really needed for an arthritis diagnosis?

https://youtu.be/rg0C0IvYbtU