Osteoarthritis & Joint Care
Rheumatologist in Montebello
Knees that ache going down stairs. A hip that stiffens up after sitting through a movie. That kind of wear-and-tear pain is usually osteoarthritis, and there's a lot more that can be done about it than "take some ibuprofen and rest." We're in Whittier, about six miles and thirteen minutes from Montebello along Beverly Boulevard, and diagnosis, injections, and treatment planning all happen right here. Call (562) 758-6600 or book online.
Why "It's Just Wear and Tear" Isn't the Whole Story
Osteoarthritis gets treated like an inevitability — you get older, your cartilage wears down, that's just how it goes. There's truth in that, but it's not the whole picture. How fast it progresses, how much pain it causes day to day, whether you end up needing a joint replacement at 55 or manage fine into your 80s — a lot of that comes down to catching it early and treating it well, not just accepting it.
A Montebello patient in his 60s had been managing knee pain with over-the-counter pain relievers for three years, assuming that was the only option short of surgery. A proper exam and imaging showed moderate cartilage loss that responded well to a combination of injections and targeted physical therapy — pain dropped enough that surgery talk got pushed years down the road.
That's really the point. Osteoarthritis isn't one-size-fits-all, and neither is the treatment. What works depends on which joint, how advanced it is, and what your daily life actually demands from that joint.
What We See Most in Montebello Patients
Osteoarthritis
Cartilage breakdown, most common in knees, hips, and hands after 50. We diagnose with imaging and a physical exam, then treat with injections, physical therapy referrals, and medication — surgery is a later conversation, not a first one.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune, usually symmetric, often confused with osteoarthritis early on. RF and anti-CCP bloodwork tells the two apart, which matters since treatment is completely different.
Gout
Sudden, sharp pain, usually the big toe. Treat the flare, then build a long-term plan around uric acid.
Osteoporosis
No symptoms until a fracture happens. Especially worth checking if osteoarthritis has already limited your activity level, since less movement can accelerate bone loss too. On-site DEXA scan, same-day results.
Lupus and Autoimmune Disease
Lupus, Sjögren's, scleroderma — different mechanism entirely from osteoarthritis, needing different testing and monitoring.
Fibromyalgia
Widespread pain and fatigue that can overlap with or get mistaken for osteoarthritis-related pain. We sort out which one — or both — is driving your symptoms.
How We Diagnose and Treat Osteoarthritis
X-rays are usually the starting point — they show joint space narrowing and bone spurs that confirm the diagnosis and tell us how advanced things are. We combine that with a physical exam, checking range of motion and where exactly the pain shows up, and bloodwork when we need to rule out an autoimmune cause instead. Ultrasound sometimes comes into play too, especially if there's swelling that needs a closer look.
Treatment starts conservative for most patients: activity modification, physical therapy referrals, and anti-inflammatory medication. Corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections come next for joints that need more relief, and they can buy years of comfortable function before surgery ever becomes necessary. We track how your joints are doing over time and adjust the plan as things change, rather than setting one course and walking away.
Signs Worth Getting Checked
Not every ache needs a specialist visit, but a few patterns are worth an actual evaluation.
Joint pain that's been building over months rather than from a specific injury. Stiffness after sitting or resting that loosens up once you get moving. Pain that's worse with activity and better with rest — the classic mechanical pattern. A joint that's started making noise, clicking or grinding, along with the pain. Swelling that comes and goes rather than staying constant. Pain that's started limiting things you used to do without thinking about it.
If that's familiar, call. We'll tell you what's open this week.
Why Montebello Patients Choose Us
We treat osteoarthritis as something worth actively managing, not just something to accept — there's real room to slow it down and reduce pain along the way.
Dr. Gilbert Gelfand's been in rheumatology more than 30 years, holds a Clinical Professor appointment at USC Keck, and runs the rheumatology department at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center.
4.9 stars, 262 reviews on Google — a track record built by actual patients.
We explain what's actually happening in the joint and why we're recommending a given treatment, not just handing over a referral. Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Farsi are spoken directly by staff here. Some patients also qualify for clinical trials involving newer joint treatments.
What Patients Say
"Thought my only option was surgery eventually. Injections have kept me comfortable for two years now."
— paraphrased from a Google review"Actually explained why my knee and my hip needed different approaches instead of one generic plan."
— paraphrased from a Google review"Took my hand pain seriously instead of just saying it's normal at my age."
— paraphrased from a Google reviewWho You'll See
Gilbert F. Gelfand, M.D.
Chief of Rheumatology at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, more than 30 years managing joint conditions from mild to advanced. English and Spanish.
Tien-I Karleen Su, M.D., FACR
Chairs the ACR Community Practice Council, founded the Rheumatology Private Practice Alliance. English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
Susan Mansourian, M.D., FACR
Tends toward conservative treatment first, reaching for injections and therapy before recommending anything more invasive. English and Farsi.
Branden Ireifej, M.D.
Works through treatment options with patients directly, weighing what fits their actual activity level and goals.
Getting Here From Montebello
12456 Washington Blvd, Whittier. Six miles, about thirteen minutes along Beverly Boulevard. We also see patients from:
Common Questions
Does osteoarthritis always end in surgery?
No. Plenty of patients manage well for years, sometimes indefinitely, with injections, physical therapy, and medication. Surgery's an option when conservative treatment stops working, not the default.
How is osteoarthritis different from rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is mechanical wear on cartilage. Rheumatoid arthritis is autoimmune, with your immune system attacking the joint lining. Different causes, different treatments.
Do I need a referral?
Depends on your plan. HMOs usually want one from your primary doctor. PPOs, you can typically book directly.
How long is the wait?
Varies by season. Call (562) 758-6600 for a real answer.
What should I bring?
Any prior imaging or labs, current medications, and notes on which activities make the pain worse.
Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes, including physicians who speak it directly.
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Do More Than Just Manage the Ache
Joint pain doesn't have to be something you just live with. Come in, we'll figure out what's actually going on, and build a plan that fits your life.