The apparatus and method for the detection and quantification of joint andtissue inflammation (100) of the present invention comprises a sensingcomponent (102) for obtaining and collecting data indicative of the surface ordimensions of the joint or tissue. The sensing component (102) comprisesvarious components for obtaining measurements of the cardinal signs ofinflammation. Preferably the sensing component (102) includes a device fordetecting swelling (104), a color analyzing device (108), a temperaturemeasuring device (110), a pain or tenderness detection device (112), anarchival and retrieval device (114), and a display device (116). In operation,a patient is placed in position for examination of the joint or tissue area,measurements are taken of one or more of the cardinal signs of inflammation atthe joint or tissue area, the measurements are automatically stored in anarchival storage and retrieval device (114), and from the measurements aninflammation score is derived which can be compared against a baseline.
