How We Use Ultrasound to Diagnose & Treat Musculoskeletal Conditions

Although commonly associated with pregnancy and images of an unborn child, ultrasound technology is also an invaluable tool in identifying and treating musculoskeletal conditions such as tendinitis, bursitis, gout, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and the other rheumatic diseases that we treat at our practice in Galloway, NJ as well as our five other Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates New Jersey locations.

Our rheumatologists utilize this ever-evolving technology at our Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates Diagnostic Ultrasound Centers to get to the bottom of what’s causing our patients’ pain and help set them on a path to a better quality of life. Read on to learn more about what makes ultrasound so helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of bone and joint diseases, and what sets Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates apart in the area of ultrasound diagnostics.

What is Diagnostic Ultrasound?

Ultrasound generates high-frequency sound waves — so high, in fact, they can’t be heard by the human ear — to produce images of the body’s internal organs and underlying structures. Also known as sonography, ultrasound works in real-time by placing a simple applicator on the surface of the skin and projecting images from inside the body onto a screen where a physician can observe what might be causing a patient’s symptoms.

What are the Advantages of Ultrasound?

When patients are trying to effectively cope with chronic pain, fatigue, joint stiffness, or other symptoms, research has shown that they’ve likely seen at least two other physicians before being referred for a rheumatologic evaluation. Unfortunately, this usually means there can be a fairly large delay before even arriving at our doorstep. We can relate to the frustration and feeling of desperation that our patients experience as they search for answers about what’s going on with their own body. Therefore, we pride ourselves on offering appropriate diagnostic testing that can provide invaluable insights — fast.

By using methods like ultrasound, we have the ability to identify the root cause of the problem and provide an accurate diagnosis — which we believe is crucial to moving forward with an effective treatment plan.

When it comes to conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system — including joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, connective tissue, and others — diagnostic and therapeutic ultrasound offers a few key advantages over other imaging tests such as X-rays, Computed Tomography (commonly known as a “CAT” or “CT” scan), or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

Ultrasound technology has been around since the mid-1950s. Today, it’s a remarkable tool that enables physicians to track the movement of blood in blood vessels and identify inflammation in areas of the body. In short, ultrasound helps your Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates rheumatologist get a real-time view of what’s underlying your symptoms and aids in both diagnosis and treatment.

How is Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates Different?

Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates offers ultrasound-assisted diagnosis and treatment at most of our facilities across New Jersey. Patients at our Diagnostic Ultrasound Center in Voorhees, NJ and other locations have access to the top professionals in musculoskeletal ultrasound applications. One of the other significant advantages to using ultrasound technology in this way is that we can provide patients with targeted medications and ensure that the correct dose of medicine is delivered to the area where it will help the most. There’s no guessing with these injections — precision is key.

In fact, Amy Evangelisto, M.D., RhMSUS, heads the Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates Ultrasound Center and has served as President of the Ultrasound School of North American Rheumatologists. Through her leadership, the Arthritis, Rheumatic & Bone Disease Associates physicians stay up to date on all the latest advancements in ultrasound technology and receive the most state-of-the-art techniques used to better serve our patients.

If you’d like to learn more about our diagnostic ultrasound services or to schedule an appointment at any of our Diagnostic Ultrasound Center locations, please give us a call today!