Blood test detects early signs of knee osteoarthritis 8 years before X-ray, per Duke University study.

A blood test can detect signs of knee osteoarthritis up to eight years before it appears on X-rays, according to a study by Duke University School of Medicine. The test identifies specific proteins in the blood to predict the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis in individuals with no symptoms. Early detection could lead to treatments that slow the progression of the disease, which is the most common form of arthritis.