In addition to a physical exam and medical history, your healthcare provider is likely to perform several blood tests and imaging tests to confirm suspected arthritis. A complete blood count will help identify markers in the blood associated with rheumatoid arthritis and other forms of inflammatory arthritis. X-rays and MRIs are standard imaging tests used to reveal the bone and joint damage characteristic of osteoarthritis. In arthrocentesis, synovial fluid is removed from the joint to test for uric acid (an indication of gout) and markers of other forms of arthritis.