In differentiating osteoarthritis from chronic gout,pseudogout,or septic arthritis,the most valuable diagnostic study would be:

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Synovial fluid analysis is the most valuable diagnostic study in differentiating osteoarthritis from chronic gout, pseudogout, or septic arthritis. In a synovial fluid analysis, the fluid is examined under a microscope to identify the presence of uric acid crystals (in gout), calcium pyrophosphate crystals (in pseudogout), or bacteria (in septic arthritis). The analysis can also help determine the severity of inflammation in the joint, which can be helpful in diagnosing osteoarthritis. The other diagnostic studies listed, such as ESR or C-reactive protein analysis, may be useful in assessing inflammation in the body, but they do not provide specific information about the joint itself. A complete blood cell count may also be useful in ruling out other conditions, but it is not as specific as a synovial fluid analysis.

In Differentiating Osteoarthritis from Chronic Gout,pseudogout,or Septic Arthritis,the Most Valuable