Larsen Grade (Rheumatoid Arthritis Radiographs)

The Larsen (Larsen-Dale-Eek) radiographic grading of joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis, by erosion and joint-space change, grades 0-5.

Open the calculator → Runs in your browser. Data leaves only if you deliberately send a problem report from the interactive tool.

Example

Larsen grade
2 - definite early (erosion and narrowing)

Result: Larsen grade 2: definite early abnormality with erosion and joint-space narrowing.

The tool opens with these values already filled in. Replace them with your own.

What the result means

Grade 0
Normal; intact bony outlines and normal joint space.
Grade 1
Slight: periarticular soft-tissue swelling, osteoporosis, and/or slight joint-space narrowing.
Grade 2
Definite early: erosion and joint-space narrowing.
Grade 3
Medium destructive: marked erosions and joint-space narrowing.
Grade 4
Severe destructive: extensive erosions and gross deformity.
Grade 5
Mutilating: the original articular surfaces have disappeared.

What you enter

  • Larsen grade
How this is calculated

Larsen A, Dale K, Eek M. Radiographic evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions by standard reference films. Acta Radiol Diagn (Stockh). 1977;18(4):481-491. Read the source ↗

A reference and educational tool. Not medical, legal, or financial advice, and not a substitute for clinician judgment.

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Built by Clay Good. Source on GitHub.