Arthritis Associates in Chattanooga: Rheumatology-Focused Radiology
Arthritis Associates is a specialty radiology practice in Chattanooga serving rheumatologists and their patients with imaging tailored to joint disease, inflammatory conditions, and arthritis monitoring. Unlike general radiology centers that handle everything from chest X-rays to fractures, this practice concentrates on the specific imaging needs of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, lupus, and related autoimmune conditions. It operates as a referral-based service, meaning patients arrive with orders from their rheumatologist rather than walk in off the street.
What Arthritis Associates actually does
The practice provides diagnostic imaging for joints and connective-tissue disorders, primarily through ultrasound, X-ray, and MRI protocols designed to detect early inflammation, cartilage loss, and bone erosion. Ultrasound is especially valuable in rheumatology because it can show synovial inflammation in real time and guides needle placement for joint injections. Radiologists here are trained to recognize the imaging signatures of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, and other conditions that require precision interpretation. Most patients are referred by Chattanooga rheumatologists or internal medicine doctors managing inflammatory diseases.
Services and typical costs
Specific pricing at Arthritis Associates varies by imaging modality. A rheumatology-focused ultrasound of a single joint typically costs $150 to $300 before insurance; bilateral knee or shoulder imaging runs $250 to $450. MRI of a joint ranges from $400 to $1,200 depending on the body part. X-rays are the lowest cost, usually $50 to $150 per area. Most insurance plans, including Medicare and major commercial carriers, cover arthritis-related imaging when a physician order is present. Verify current fees directly with the practice, as imaging costs adjust periodically.
Comparison to other Chattanooga radiology options
Arthritis Associates differs from general radiology centers like Erlanger's imaging department or independent centers such as Open MRI of Chattanooga. Those facilities handle all imaging types and accept walk-in orders for routine scans. Arthritis Associates specializes exclusively in rheumatology cases, meaning radiologists here have deep expertise in detecting early disease and subtle changes that generalist radiologists might miss. Choose Arthritis Associates if your rheumatologist has referred you and wants imaging by someone fluent in arthritis patterns. Choose a general center if you need non-rheumatology imaging or your doctor has no preference. Some patients prefer general centers for convenience and shorter wait times; Arthritis Associates typically requires a physician order and schedules by appointment.
Who this suits and who it does not
This practice is designed for patients with known or suspected rheumatologic disease: anyone being evaluated for joint symptoms by a rheumatologist, or anyone whose primary-care doctor is investigating inflammatory arthritis. It suits patients whose insurers cover specialty imaging or who have already met their deductible. It does not suit walk-in patients without a referral or those seeking imaging for traumatic injury, orthopedic surgery planning, or non-inflammatory joint problems (though overlap cases do occur). If your concern is a sports injury or a broken bone, a general radiology center is more appropriate.
What the first visit involves
Call Arthritis Associates with a physician order in hand or ask your doctor's office to send the order directly. Provide your insurance information during scheduling. On arrival, expect standard intake: demographics, insurance card copy, and medication list. The technician will position the joint for imaging and explain what to expect. If ultrasound is ordered, the radiologist may perform it during your visit; you'll see real-time images of the joint and may feel the transducer moved across the area. For X-ray or MRI, the technician handles positioning and you'll receive images within a few business days once the radiologist has reviewed them. The radiologist's report goes to your referring physician.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Arthritis Associates operates Monday through Friday; typical hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though verify current hours by calling ahead, as specialty practices sometimes adjust availability seasonally. The practice is located in a medical office setting convenient to Chattanooga's east side; parking is usually available on-site or in the building lot. Appointments are generally available within one to two weeks. Bring your insurance card, photo ID, and the physician order. If you're scheduled for MRI, confirm any restrictions related to metal implants or metallic devices beforehand.
Arthritis Associates fills a necessary gap in Chattanooga's radiology landscape by pairing subspecialty knowledge with the imaging tools rheumatologists rely on for diagnosis and monitoring.
