AARA provides a wide range of ancillary services related to rheumatologic care. These services are periodically upgraded in order to maintain optimal technology in our specialty of rheumatology. Most of these services are provided at each of our four valley locations. Insurance carriers may cover some or all these services within our organization. Our staff and your insurer can help you determine which of our in house services are covered by your health plan (also see “Services By Plan”). Specific coverage by plan may change from time to time.

See subjects involving our services:
• Lab
• X-Ray
• Bone Densitometry
• Infusions
• MRI For Extremities
• Electrodiagnostic Studies

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Lab

A wide range of laboratory tests is available, including routine studies for general medical care and monitoring, as well as more specific rheumatologic tests. If only a portion of the lab tests ordered are performed in our offices, we will draw the blood for those not done in our lab and send it to the appropriate outside laboratory.

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X-ray

Our Paradise Valley and Estrella locations include in house x-ray facilities. The x-rays are interpreted by the rheumatologists familiar with your clinical situation, and by consultative radiologists if needed.

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Bone Densitometry

DXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry) technology is available at all of our locations. The interpretation is provided by the treating rheumatologist in the context of risk factor assessment. Such analysis allows the rheumatologist to evaluate for osteopenia and osteoporosis, assess the strength of bone, and guide the use of new medicines that can strengthen bone to reduce the risk of fractures.

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Infusions

Infusion therapies (intravenous medications) are provided at each of our four locations. Newer biologic medications may be used in the treatment of a variety of illnesses such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, iritis, ankylosing spondylitis and advanced metabolic and biologic agents may soon be administered for conditions such as osteoporosis, vasculitis, certain inflammatory muscle conditions, etc. These important new therapies have radically changed the treatment of many immunologic based diseases, and have given new hope to many patients. AARA has a dedicated staff of infusion nurses who frequently consult with the treating rheumatologist regarding the particular needs of the infusion patient.

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MRI for Extremities

Rheumatologists have begun to utilize MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) to assist in the diagnosis and management of rheumatologic disorders. The addition of a high field MRI dedicated to peripheral joints and interpreted by radiologists specializing in musculosketal diseases helps the physicians at AARA to best assess the effectiveness of a patients’ current therapy and the need for further therapies.

The ONI MRI located at the Paradise Valley office provides an open "patient-friendly" environment and avoids some of the difficulties encountered by patients in more enclosed systems.

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Electrodiagnostic Studies

Dr. Benjamin Sucher, a nationally recognized and extensively published physiatrist and electrophysiologist performs electrodiagnostic testing (EDX) in our offices for patients of AARA. EDS includes electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS), which evaluate the responsiveness and function of nerve and muscle tissue. This information is often essential to understanding disease processes and sorting out diagnostic dilemmas. This modality assists the physician in the diagnosis of disorders that may have a neurologic component, and can be provided in the comfortable and convenient environment of AARA offices.