Home > Arthritis > How to diagnose arthritis Get the Flash Player to see this player. Rate: (Click the stars to rate) Published on Jun 23, 2008 by TSculco, Views: 4619 How to diagnose arthritis. X ray is the benchmark for diagnosing arthritis. MRI can be a helpful additions, as well as blood tests to look for systemic problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, or lupus. But xray is the gold standard to look for arthritis. Arthritis is so painful. A good friend of mine is having both knees replaced tomorrow. She has not been able to take her NSAID's for two weeks now and is in a lot of pain. Can arthritis come back after your knees are replaced? I know that Hospital for Special Surgery is one of the best hospitals. greenhealth 13.7 years ago