Rheumatology Services
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in Manassas, VA
Musculoskeletal ultrasound in Manassas, VA gives our rheumatologists a real-time look at your joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles during your visit. It uses sound waves instead of radiation, so it can help detect inflammation, fluid, and tendon problems quickly and safely.
- Board-certified rheumatologists
- Most insurance plans accepted
- Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
Real-time imaging in the exam room
No radiation
What Is Musculoskeletal Ultrasound?
Musculoskeletal (MSK) ultrasound uses a small handheld probe that sends sound waves into the body. The echoes create live images on a screen, so your clinician can see soft tissues and joint structures as they move. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound does not use radiation, which makes it safe to repeat when needed.
Why Rheumatologists Use Ultrasound
Many rheumatic conditions involve inflammation that a physical exam or plain X-ray may miss. Ultrasound can show:
- Synovitis: inflammation of the joint lining
- Effusions: extra fluid inside a joint
- Erosions: early damage to bone at the joint edge
- Tendon and bursa changes: tendinitis, tears, or bursitis
- Crystal deposits: changes that can support a diagnosis of gout
Ultrasound can also guide needle placement for joint injections and joint aspirations.
Conditions Ultrasound Can Help Evaluate
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis
- Psoriatic arthritis, including tendon and enthesis inflammation
- Gout
- Bursitis and tendinitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome, by looking at the median nerve
- Joint swelling or soft tissue lumps that need a closer look
What to Expect
A clear gel is applied to your skin, and the probe is moved over the area being examined. You may be asked to move the joint so your clinician can see how tissues behave in motion. The exam is noninvasive, painless aside from light pressure, and often completed during your regular visit. Wear clothing that lets us reach the joint easily.
Why Choose Our Manassas Office
Ultrasound performed by your rheumatology team means the person reading the images understands your symptoms and history. Findings can be discussed with you right away, which often speeds up decisions about treatment. We care for patients from Manassas, Gainesville, Bristow, Haymarket, Centreville, and Woodbridge.
Next steps
Schedule your visit
Call (703) 361-3255 or request an appointment online. Our Manassas office is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Related pages
Related Conditions
Conditions This Service Supports
Learn more about the conditions this service is commonly used to evaluate or treat at our Manassas office.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Inflammatory joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
Psoriatic Arthritis
Joint inflammation linked to psoriasis
Gout & Pseudogout
Crystal-related joint flares
Bursitis & Tendinitis
Soft tissue pain and inflammation
Osteoarthritis
Joint pain and stiffness from cartilage wear
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Hand numbness, tingling, and weakness
Your Care Team
Clinicians Who Provide This Service
Our board-certified rheumatologists and nurse practitioners work together on your care. Meet the clinicians at our Manassas office.
Nurse practitioner
Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner
FAQs
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Questions
Answers to common questions from patients in Manassas and nearby Northern Virginia communities.
Is musculoskeletal ultrasound safe?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves and no radiation, so it can be repeated safely when your clinician needs to track changes over time.
How is it different from an MRI?
Ultrasound is done in the exam room, shows structures moving in real time, and is quick. MRI gives a broader, more detailed view of some deep structures. Your clinician will recommend the right test for your situation.
Do I need to prepare for the exam?
No special preparation is needed. Wear loose clothing that allows access to the joint being examined.
Can ultrasound be used during injections?
Yes. Ultrasound guidance can help your clinician place a needle precisely during a joint injection or aspiration.
Related Services
Other Services at Our Manassas Office
Many patients use more than one of our in-office services as part of a complete care plan.
Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, and PRP joint injections as one part of a broader treatment plan.
Removing and testing fluid from a swollen joint to help find the cause, such as gout or infection.
Nerve and muscle testing that helps evaluate numbness, tingling, weakness, and nerve compression.
Request an Appointment
See What Is Causing Your Joint Pain
Request a rheumatology visit online or call (703) 361-3255 to learn whether ultrasound can help.
