Which of the following diagnostic tests is most commonly used to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis?

X-ray imaging is commonly used to diagnose osteoarthritis. It can visualize joint space narrowing, bone spurs, and other changes associated with the disease.

a. MRI is more commonly used to assess soft tissue structures and is not the first-line imaging modality for osteoarthritis.
b. CT scan is not typically used for diagnosing osteoarthritis due to its higher radiation exposure compared to X-ray.
d. Ultrasound is not commonly used for diagnosing osteoarthritis; it is more useful for soft tissue assessment.

X-ray is the most commonly used diagnostic test to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. It can show joint space narrowing, osteophyte formation (bony overgrowths), and other changes characteristic of osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) blood tests are used to diagnose autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide more detailed images of joint structures, but X-ray is typically the initial diagnostic test for osteoarthritis.

a. Rheumatoid factor (RF) blood test is used to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis.
b. Antinuclear antibody (ANA) blood test is used to diagnose autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), not osteoarthritis.
c. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be helpful in assessing joint structures in more detail, but X-ray is the primary diagnostic test for osteoarthritis.