Common symptoms
- Comprehensive orthopedic evaluation
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- Conservative-first care plan tailored to your goals
- Coordinated specialty referrals when needed
- In-network insurance for most major carriers
Ultrasound Imaging
Real-time imaging of tendons, muscles, and joints
Ultrasound uses sound waves to see soft tissues in real time, useful both for diagnosis (tendon tears, fluid collections) and for guiding injections precisely into the right space. Same-day or next-week evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
See a specialist this week
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Book a visitOr call (323) 264-7600
Key takeaways
- Ultrasound imaging is part of the full diagnostic and treatment toolkit our LAOSS specialists use every day.
- Ultrasound uses sound waves to see soft tissues in real time, useful both for diagnosis (tendon tears, fluid collections) and for guiding injections precisely into the right space.
- Most patients improve when treatment starts early and is matched to the actual diagnosis.
- Same-day appointments available across eight Los Angeles-area offices.
About ultrasound imaging
Ultrasound imaging is part of the orthopedic care we offer at LAOSS. Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, who benefits from this service, what it looks like at our clinics, and the preparation and safety considerations to weigh.
Our specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
Watch: Ultrasound-Guided Injection for Knee Pain
This non-operative, outpatient procedure is designed to provide relief for patients with arthritis of the knee. The technique allows the physician to inject an inflammation-reducing steroid with maximum accuracy.
Inside the musculoskeletal system.
Most musculoskeletal pain comes from bone, cartilage, a ligament or tendon, muscle, or a nerve. The right care starts with the right diagnosis.
What we offer with ultrasound imaging.
Common causes
- New patients exploring an orthopedic complaint
- Existing LAOSS patients continuing care
- Patients seeking a second opinion
- Athletes and active adults of every age
How we start treatment
When you book with LAOSS for ultrasound imaging, here's the flow:
- Initial visit: detailed history, focused exam, on-site X-ray when needed
- Diagnosis & plan: most patients leave with imaging-confirmed answers and a written treatment plan
- Treatment: whether that's PT, an injection, or surgery, your specialist stays involved at every step
- Follow-up: measured benchmarks, direct line to your care team, plan adjustments as recovery progresses
Orthopedic care, conservative-first.
We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Conservative care
Step 1Conservative care first
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
- Physical therapy & focused strengthening
- Image-guided steroid injections
- Activity & ergonomic modification
- NSAIDs & topical anti-inflammatories
- PRP & regenerative therapies
Surgical care
When neededSurgical options when needed
Minimally invasive and reconstructive procedures performed by board-certified orthopedic surgeons.
- Arthroscopy when minimally invasive surgery fits
- Tendon / ligament reconstruction or repair
- Fracture fixation
- Joint replacement when arthritis is advanced
- Pain procedures for chronic conditions
Why experience matters.
Why experience matters
Orthopedic care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you feel six months later.
- Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
- Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
- Technique refined over thousands of cases
- On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider
The LAOSS approach
Our orthopedic specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits, escalate only when it doesn't.
- Same-day imaging at most offices
- PT coordinated in your insurance network
- Board-certified specialists performing the procedures themselves
- Direct access to your specialist between visits
Am I a candidate?
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a orthopedic specialist is the next step.
You may be a candidate if
These signs typically point toward this service being a good fit.
- Orthopedic pain or dysfunction lasting more than a few days
- Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
- Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
- Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
- Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
What evaluation includes
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
- Detailed history: onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
- Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
- On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
- Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
- Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
What to expect with an ultrasound.
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
- Before
Before your scan
Most musculoskeletal ultrasound scans need no preparation.
- Wear clothing that lets the area be uncovered easily
- No fasting and no change to your medications
- Tell us where it hurts and which movements bring it on
- Bring any earlier imaging reports you have
- During
During your scan
Gel is placed on the skin and a small handheld probe is moved over the area.
- No radiation is used
- You may feel light pressure over a tender spot
- You may be asked to move the joint so the tendon or muscle can be watched in motion
- The other side is sometimes scanned for comparison
- After
After your scan
There is no recovery time. You can return to normal activity right away.
- The gel wipes off
- Your specialist explains what the images show
- The findings are matched to your exam and symptoms
- Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations
What to weigh before you decide.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
General considerations
Diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation. It has no known harmful effects.
- No needles, incisions, or anesthesia for a diagnostic scan
- Light pressure from the probe over a tender area
- No limits on activity afterward
- When ultrasound is used to guide an injection, the usual injection risks apply
What ultrasound can and cannot show
Ultrasound is one piece of the diagnosis. We read it alongside your history and exam.
- Tendons, muscles, ligaments, and fluid near the surface show well
- Structures can be watched while they move
- The inside of bone and deep joint cartilage are seen better on X-ray or MRI
- Image quality depends on how deep the structure is
Meet our orthopedic specialists
At LAOSS, our orthopedic specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive techniques to coordinating your rehab, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
Specialists, not generalists.
Compare up to 34 providers
Accepting new patients
Jose Antonio Acosta, MD
Pain Management & Rehabilitation
Speaks English and Spanish
Habla español
- Glendale
- Encino
- Valencia
- +1 more
Reliable ultrasound imaging starts here
With same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see an orthopedic specialist in Los Angeles.
FAQ.
- It depends on your symptoms and exam. We start with a focused orthopedic exam and review any imaging you already have, and your specialist explains whether ultrasound is the best next step or whether a different test, such as an X-ray or MRI, makes more sense.
Find out if ultrasound imaging is right for you.
Same-day and next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles-area offices. Book a visit and meet your specialist.
Booking now
21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network