Arthritis Treatment in Alhambra, CA | Integrative Sport & Spine

Arthritis in the San Gabriel Valley Is More Complex Than Most Patients Are Told

Arthritis can cause ongoing pain, stiffness, reduced mobility, and changes in joint function. The CDC reports that 21.2% of U.S. adults, about 53.2 million people, had diagnosed arthritis during 2019 to 2021, with prevalence increasing among adults age 65 and older. Arthritis can affect many different joints, and symptoms may vary depending on the type of arthritis and the structures involved.

At our Alhambra clinic, each arthritis evaluation begins with a review of your symptoms, medical history, imaging, and affected joints. Your physician considers how your symptoms affect movement and daily activities before determining which nonsurgical treatment options may be appropriate for your condition. This evaluation also helps distinguish arthritis-related joint pain from other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Our interventional pain physicians in Alhambra evaluate and treat joint pain associated with a range of arthritis and degenerative joint conditions affecting patients throughout the San Gabriel Valley. Treatment may focus on reducing pain, improving joint function, and helping you remain active while addressing the specific source of your symptoms. Depending on your diagnosis and clinical history, your treatment plan may include image-guided injections or other nonsurgical approaches.

Arthritis Conditions We Treat in Alhambra

Arthritis can affect joints in different ways, and treatment depends on the type of arthritis and the symptoms it causes. For inflammatory types such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, and ankylosing spondylitis, as well as gout, we treat joint pain alongside the rheumatologist who manages the underlying disease. Conditions include:

Knee osteoarthritis
Hip osteoarthritis
Shoulder osteoarthritis
Cervical facet joint arthritis
Lumbar facet joint arthritis and spinal joint degeneration
Sacroiliac joint arthritis and SI joint-related pelvic pain
Ankle and foot osteoarthritis
Wrist osteoarthritis and basal thumb joint arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis with active peripheral joint involvement
Psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory arthropathies
Ankylosing spondylitis related joint and spinal pain
Post-traumatic arthritis from prior joint injury
Gout and crystal-induced joint inflammation
Trochanteric bursitis and lateral hip periarticular pain
Elbow arthritis and periarticular conditions
Chronic joint pain that has not responded to medications, physical therapy, or prior injections

Patients who have delayed seeking care, who have been told surgery is their primary option, or who have tried prior injections without adequate relief are welcome to come in for a comprehensive reassessment.

Serving Alhambra and the San Gabriel Valley

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(833) 476-7377

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925 S Garfield Ave, Alhambra, CA 91801

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Mon - Fri: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Saturday & Sunday: Closed

91801: Downtown, Alhambra High, Alhambra Park, Auto Row

91803: Granada Park, Fremont Ave corridor, Costco/Target Center area

North Alhambra: Bean Tract, Midwick Park, Lindaraxa Park, Stoneman

South Alhambra: Emery Park, Shorb, Ramona Park

Our Clinic Is Near These Locations

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Why San Gabriel Valley Patients Choose Our Alhambra Clinic

A Diagnostic Process That Does Not Skip Steps

Arthritis is not always the only source of joint pain. Bursitis, tendon problems, referred pain, and other soft tissue conditions can contribute. Our physicians evaluate the full picture, not just imaging findings, before recommending treatment.

Image-Guided Procedures as a Standard

Where imaging guidance is clinically appropriate, arthritis procedures at our Alhambra clinic are performed under real-time imaging, so your physician can confirm needle placement before treatment is delivered, whether treating a straightforward knee joint or a more complex hip condition.

Knowing When to Consider Other Options

We focus on nonsurgical treatment when it is appropriate for your condition and goals. If your symptoms or evaluation suggest that another type of care may be more appropriate, your provider can explain the findings and discuss the next steps with you.

Honest Guidance When Higher-Level Care Is Needed

We pursue appropriate nonsurgical options fully, but we are also honest when they are no longer likely to help. If surgery or another level of care is needed, we explain why and can coordinate an appropriate referral.

What to Expect at Integrative Sports & Spine

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Your First Visit

Your first visit is an unhurried diagnostic evaluation. Your physician will review your imaging, examine the affected joints and surrounding structures, assess your functional limitations, and take a thorough history of your symptoms, their progression over time, and every treatment approach you have previously tried. You will leave the appointment with a specific diagnosis, an understanding of the structures involved, and a treatment plan that has been explained in terms you actually understand.

The Injection Procedure

Arthritis procedures at our Alhambra clinic are performed in an outpatient setting under real time ultrasound or fluoroscopic imaging guidance. You will be comfortably positioned, the target joint will be confirmed on imaging, and the procedure typically takes 15 to 30 minutes. The type of treatment selected, whether corticosteroid injection, viscosupplementation, platelet rich plasma therapy, or a nerve-based approach, is determined by your specific diagnosis and clinical history.

Recovery and Follow-Through

Recovery timelines vary by procedure type and from person to person. Corticosteroid injections often begin to take effect within about a week as local inflammation subsides. Viscosupplementation and platelet rich plasma therapy tend to build more gradually over a number of weeks. Radiofrequency ablation of arthritic joint nerves may bring progressive improvement over the weeks following the procedure. These are general patterns rather than a schedule, and your own response may differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of arthritis does a pain management specialist treat, and how is this different from rheumatology?

Rheumatologists primarily manage systemic inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and ankylosing spondylitis with medications. Pain management specialists focus on reducing arthritis-related pain and improving function through treatments such as image-guided injections, nerve blocks, and radiofrequency ablation. Many patients benefit from care from both specialties.

Does family history affect my risk of developing severe arthritis, and does it matter for treatment?

Family history can increase your risk of osteoarthritis and certain inflammatory forms of arthritis. However, it does not determine your treatment options or predict your response to procedures. Your treatment is based on your symptoms, examination, and imaging.

Can arthritis in the spine cause pain in my legs or arms, or only in my back and neck?

Yes. Arthritis in the cervical or lumbar spine can cause pain that spreads into the arms, shoulders, buttocks, hips, or legs. When arthritis occurs alongside nerve irritation, you may also experience numbness or tingling. Identifying the source of these symptoms helps determine the appropriate treatment.

Are there specific risks for older patients receiving arthritis injections?

Arthritis injections are generally safe for older adults, but certain health conditions and medications require additional consideration. Blood thinners and diabetes, for example, may affect how a procedure is managed. Your physician will review your medications and health history to determine the safest approach.

I have been managing my arthritis with traditional herbal remedies. Can I continue those alongside injection treatment?

Tell your physician about all herbal remedies, supplements, teas, and traditional preparations you use. Some may affect bleeding, medications, or inflammation and could influence how a procedure is performed. Sharing this information allows your care team to plan treatment safely.

What happens if my arthritis continues to worsen despite interventional treatment?

If nonsurgical treatments no longer provide meaningful relief, we will discuss your options honestly. For advanced knee or hip arthritis, joint replacement may eventually be appropriate. When needed, we can coordinate a referral to an orthopedic specialist while continuing to help manage your pain.

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Insurance Coverage

We are committed to making high quality arthritis care accessible to every Alhambra and San Gabriel Valley patient who needs it. Our billing team verifies your coverage before your appointment and explains your out of pocket costs clearly and completely before any procedure is scheduled.

We Accept

• Medicare
• Many PPO plans (coverage varies, we verify yours before treatment)
• Self-Pay Options Available

Financial Policy• Insurance verification completed prior to appointment
• Co-payments and deductibles due at time of service
• Self-pay options available with transparent pricing
• Flexible payment plans for eligible treatments

Arthritis Treatment in Alhambra, California