Other joints such as the hips, knees, elbows, and feet are X-rayed when the doctor wants to monitor disease activity. Conclusion Blood tests, urine tests, joint fluid tests, biopsies, and X-rays are useful tools that your doctor relies on to help diagnose and treat your arthritis. These are by no means all the tests your doctor may order, but they are some of the most common. Bear in mind that doctors sometimes can order too many tests. Tests should only be done when your doctor needs the results to guide diagnosis or treatment.
Unnecessary tests can lead to errors in diagnosis and treatment.
Feel free to ask your doctor about tests that might be useful in your case. However, realize that more tests are not always better or even as good as fewer. Your doctor's advice should guide these decisions. Communicating honestly with your doctor is always important. If you don't understand why a certain test is needed, ask.