suddenly becomes very:
* Painful
* Hot
* Red
* Swollen
should not automatically be assumed to be an arthritis flare.
Infection, gout, injury, and other conditions can produce similar symptoms.
Prompt medical evaluation is particularly important if joint swelling occurs together with fever or feeling severely unwell.
## How Is Arthritis Diagnosed?
There is no single test that diagnoses every type of arthritis.
A healthcare professional may use:
* Medical history
* Physical examination
* Range-of-motion testing
* Blood tests
* X-rays
* Ultrasound
* MRI in selected cases
For suspected rheumatoid arthritis, doctors may use blood tests for inflammation and
