Osteoarthritis: Medical History

Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Family history

  • Are there any diseases of the bones and joints in your family that are common?
  • What is the general health of your relatives?

Social history

  • What is your profession?
  • Do you have heavy physical workload in your job?

Current medical history/systemic history (somatic and psychological complaints).

  • Can you tell me where exactly your pain is?
  • How long have you had this pain?
  • Did the pain start suddenly or slowly?
  • Is the pain more pressing, dull, stabbing or pulling?
  • Does the pain radiate to other parts of the body?
  • When does this pain occur?
    • Start-up and run-in pain?
    • Fatigue pain?
    • Pain at rest?
    • Continuous and night pain?
  • Is the joint overheated, swollen or limited in function?
  • Do you have any other symptoms such as joint noises, sensitivity to wetness or cold?
  • Do you suffer from muscle tension?

Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis

  • Are you overweight? Please tell us your body weight (in kg) and height (in cm).
  • Do you exercise enough every day?
  • Do you engage in competitive sports?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many cigarettes, cigars or pipes per day?
  • Do you drink alcohol? If yes, what drink(s) and how many glasses per day?
  • Do you use drugs? If yes, what drugs and how often per day or per week?

Self history incl. medication history.

  • Pre-existing conditions (bone and joint diseases).
  • Operations
  • Allergies
  • Medication history