Description

Top 10 Rheumatologists in Los Angeles for Arthritis & Joint Pain

If persistent joint pain, morning stiffness, swelling, or reduced mobility is making everyday activities harder, finding the right rheumatologist can be an important step toward getting answers and managing symptoms. People searching for a rheumatologist in Los Angeles, arthritis specialist near me, or doctor for rheumatoid arthritis and joint pain have many options, from large academic medical centers to established specialty practices.
Los Angeles is home to nationally recognized healthcare institutions and a large network of rheumatology specialists. Rheumatologists diagnose and manage conditions affecting the joints, muscles, bones, and immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, vasculitis, and other autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. UCLA Health, for example, says its rheumatology division has more than 50 dedicated physicians serving multiple communities across Southern California.
Choosing a doctor, however, is about more than finding someone with a medical degree. You may want to consider the physician's areas of expertise, location, appointment availability, hospital affiliations, communication style, insurance, and whether the practice can provide ongoing care.
This guide highlights 10 rheumatologists in the Los Angeles area worth considering for arthritis, joint pain, autoimmune conditions, and related concerns. The list is an editorial selection based on publicly available physician information and is not a medical ranking or endorsement.
 

What Does a Rheumatologist Treat?

A rheumatologist is a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Patients may be referred to a rheumatologist when joint symptoms are persistent, unexplained, inflammatory, or associated with other symptoms.
Common conditions managed by rheumatologists include:  
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Osteoarthritis and chronic joint problems
* Psoriatic arthritis
* Gout and other crystal-related arthritis
* Lupus
* Ankylosing spondylitis and other spondyloarthritis conditions
* Vasculitis
* Myositis and inflammatory muscle diseases
* Scleroderma
* Sjögren's syndrome
* Connective tissue diseases
The right specialist depends on your symptoms and diagnosis, so patients should discuss their individual situation with a qualified healthcare professional.
 

Top 10 Rheumatologists in Los Angeles
 

1. Christina Charles-Schoeman, MD – UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Christina Charles-Schoeman is Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at UCLA Health and a Professor of Medicine. Her clinical and research work focuses particularly on rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory myositis. UCLA lists her as accepting new patients at its Westwood location.
Her experience may make her an option for patients looking for a Los Angeles rheumatoid arthritis specialist, particularly those with inflammatory or complex rheumatic disease.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Rheumatoid arthritis care
* Inflammatory myositis care
* Evaluation and management of autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic conditions
* Specialized care for complex systemic disease
* Clinical-trial and research-related opportunities for appropriate patients
UCLA identifies rheumatoid arthritis, polymyositis, myositis, and antisynthetase syndrome among her areas of focus.
Why Choose Them? 
Patients seeking an academic rheumatology specialist may appreciate her combination of clinical practice, research, and leadership within UCLA's rheumatology division.
Location
200 Medical Plaza, Suite 365, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website
UCLA Health – Christina Charles-Schoeman, MD
Contact Details​​​​​​​
310-825-2448.
Serving Areas​​​​​​​
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Downtown Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.
 

2. Thanda Aung, MD, MS – UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Thanda Aung is a board-certified rheumatologist at UCLA Health with expertise in autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases. Her areas of clinical interest include rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, lupus, osteoarthritis, myositis, scleroderma, osteoporosis, Sjögren's syndrome, and crystal arthropathies.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis management
* Osteoarthritis care
* Lupus evaluation and treatment
* Myositis care
* Scleroderma and connective-tissue disease management
* Sjögren's syndrome care
* Crystal arthritis evaluation
Why Choose Them?
Dr. Aung may be particularly relevant for patients whose joint symptoms occur alongside systemic autoimmune or inflammatory conditions. Her practice encompasses a broad range of rheumatologic disorders.
Location
Westwood Specialty Care, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 365, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website
UCLA Health – Thanda Aung, MD, MS
Contact Details
310-825-2448.
Serving Areas
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, and nearby Los Angeles communities.
 

3. Yaqoot Khan, DO – UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Yaqoot Khan is the Clinical Chief of UCLA's Division of Rheumatology. Her profile says she treats a wide spectrum of rheumatologic conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, lupus, vasculitis, ankylosing spondylitis, myositis, and connective tissue diseases.
Services Offered
* Rheumatoid arthritis management
* Osteoarthritis care
* Psoriatic arthritis treatment
* Gout management
* Lupus care
* Vasculitis evaluation
* Ankylosing spondylitis care
* Autoimmune and connective-tissue disease management
Why Choose Them?
Her broad clinical experience makes her a potentially useful choice for patients who need evaluation of joint pain that may have an autoimmune or inflammatory cause.
Location
Westwood 200 Specialty Care, 200 Medical Plaza, Suite 365, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website
UCLA Health – Yaqoot Khan, DO
Contact Details
310-825-2448.
Serving Areas
Westwood, West Los Angeles, Brentwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and surrounding areas.
 

4. Sravani Penumarty, MD – UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Sravani Penumarty practices rheumatology at UCLA's Westwood location and treats a broad spectrum of rheumatic and autoimmune conditions. Her physician profile specifically lists rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus, gout, myositis, vasculitis, and connective tissue diseases.
Services Offered
* Arthritis evaluation
* Rheumatoid arthritis care
* Osteoarthritis management
* Psoriatic arthritis treatment
* Lupus care
* Gout treatment
* Vasculitis management
* Myositis and connective-tissue disease care
* Joint and trigger-finger injections when clinically appropriate
Why Choose Them?
Patients looking for a comprehensive rheumatology evaluation may benefit from a physician who treats both common forms of arthritis and more complex autoimmune diseases.
Location
200 Medical Plaza, Suite 365, Los Angeles, CA 90095.
Website
UCLA Health – Sravani Penumarty, MD
Contact Details
310-825-2448.
Serving Areas
Westwood, UCLA, West Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and surrounding communities.
 

5. Chen Xie, MD – UCLA Health​​​​​​​

Overview
Dr. Chen Xie is a general rheumatologist practicing in Downtown Los Angeles and at the Veterans Affairs Los Angeles Ambulatory Care Center. His UCLA profile states that he cares for patients with autoimmune and joint conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, spondyloarthropathies, lupus, vasculitis, and scleroderma.
Services Offered
* General rheumatology
* Rheumatoid arthritis evaluation
* Osteoarthritis management
* Gout care
* Spondyloarthropathy evaluation
* Lupus management
* Vasculitis care
* Scleroderma management
Why Choose Them?
His Downtown Los Angeles location can be convenient for patients searching for a rheumatologist near Downtown LA, while his broad practice can accommodate a variety of joint and autoimmune conditions.
Location
Downtown LA Primary & Specialty Care, 700 West 7th Street, Suite S270, Los Angeles, CA 90017.
Website
UCLA Health – Chen Xie, MD
Contact Details
213-409-6693.
Serving Areas
Downtown Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, Westlake, Koreatown, and surrounding communities.
 

6. Tanaz A. Kermani, MD – UCLA Health

Overview
Dr. Tanaz A. Kermani is Director of UCLA's Vasculitis Program and sees patients with a broad range of rheumatologic diagnoses. Her particular expertise is vasculitis, including conditions such as giant cell arteritis and polymyalgia rheumatica.
Although vasculitis is her specialty focus, her general rheumatology background can be relevant for patients whose joint or muscle symptoms occur with systemic inflammatory disease.
Services Offered
* General rheumatology consultations
* Vasculitis care
* Giant cell arteritis evaluation
* Polymyalgia rheumatica management
* Assessment of systemic inflammatory conditions
* Multidisciplinary care for complex vasculitis
Why Choose Them?
Patients with unexplained inflammatory symptoms, systemic disease, or suspected vasculitis may benefit from a physician with dedicated expertise in this area.
Location
Santa Monica Rheumatology, 2020 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 540, Santa Monica, CA 90404.
Website
UCLA Health – Tanaz Kermani, MD
Contact Details
310-582-6350.
Serving Areas
Santa Monica, Brentwood, West Los Angeles, Pacific Palisades, Venice, Culver City, and surrounding communities.
 

7. Elizabeth W. Frame, MD – Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Elizabeth W. Frame is a rheumatologist with Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles. Her profile lists rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatology, and sarcoidosis among her clinical experience. Cedars-Sinai currently lists her as accepting new patients.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Rheumatoid arthritis care
* Evaluation of inflammatory joint conditions
* Sarcoidosis-related rheumatologic care
* Long-term management of rheumatic conditions
Why Choose Them?
Patients interested in receiving rheumatology care through the Cedars-Sinai system may consider Dr. Frame, particularly when rheumatoid arthritis or systemic inflammatory concerns are involved.
Location
Cedars-Sinai Rheumatology – Los Angeles, 8723 Alden Drive, Spielberg Suite 250, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website
Cedars-Sinai – Elizabeth W. Frame, MD
Contact Details
310-423-6257.
Serving Areas
Beverly Grove, West Hollywood, Mid-City, Beverly Hills, Central Los Angeles, and surrounding communities.
 

8. Chia-Chi J. Lee, MD, MPH – Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Chia-Chi J. Lee is an internal medicine and rheumatology physician with Cedars-Sinai. Her profile currently lists her as accepting new patients at the Cedars-Sinai Rheumatology location in Beverly Hills.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Arthritis evaluation and management
* Autoimmune and inflammatory disease assessment
* Long-term rheumatologic care
* Treatment planning based on individual diagnosis and symptoms
Why Choose Them?
Her Beverly Hills location may be convenient for patients searching for rheumatology care in Beverly Hills or the West Los Angeles area.
Location
Cedars-Sinai Rheumatology – Beverly Hills, 250 N Robertson Boulevard, Suite 603, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
Website
Cedars-Sinai – Chia-Chi J. Lee, MD, MPH
Contact Details
310-385-3298.
Serving Areas
Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Century City, Bel Air, West Los Angeles, and nearby communities.
 

9. Benjamin R. Kretzmann, MD – Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Benjamin R. Kretzmann is an internal medicine and rheumatology physician practicing in Los Angeles. Cedars-Sinai lists rheumatology among his clinical experience and notes that he completed his rheumatology fellowship at UCLA.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Arthritis evaluation
* Inflammatory joint disease management
* Autoimmune disease assessment
* Ongoing rheumatology care
Why Choose Them?
Patients looking for rheumatology care in the Beverly Grove and West Los Angeles area may find his location convenient. His internal medicine and rheumatology training also supports comprehensive evaluation of patients with multisystem concerns.
Location
8640 W. 3rd Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Website
Cedars-Sinai – Benjamin R. Kretzmann, MD
Contact Details
310-659-7878.
Serving Areas
Los Angeles, Beverly Grove, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Mid-City, and nearby Westside communities.
 

10. Nicole K. Ward, DO – Cedars-Sinai

Overview
Dr. Nicole K. Ward is an internal medicine and rheumatology physician with Cedars-Sinai. Her official profile lists rheumatology and provides a Los Angeles office location.
Services Offered
* Rheumatology consultations
* Arthritis evaluation
* Autoimmune and inflammatory condition management
* Assessment of rheumatic symptoms
* Ongoing rheumatologic care
Why Choose Them?
Her Los Angeles location may be useful for patients looking for a rheumatologist outside the central Cedars-Sinai campus while remaining within the Cedars-Sinai care network.
Location​​​​​​​
3108 Glendale Boulevard, Suite 488, Los Angeles, CA 90039.
Website
Cedars-Sinai – Nicole K. Ward, DO
Contact Details
818-806-8830. 
Serving Areas
Los Angeles, Glendale, Silver Lake, Atwater Village, Los Feliz, and nearby Northeast Los Angeles communities.
 

What Makes a Good Rheumatologist for Arthritis and Joint Pain?

Finding a rheumatologist is not simply about selecting the doctor with the highest online rating. The best choice depends on your medical needs and practical circumstances.
1. Relevant Clinical Expertise
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, look for a physician who regularly treats inflammatory arthritis. If you have gout, lupus, vasculitis, or another autoimmune condition, specialized experience may be especially valuable.
2. Convenient Location
Los Angeles traffic can turn a short appointment into a major time commitment. Consider a rheumatologist in Westwood, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Downtown LA, or another neighborhood that you can realistically reach for regular follow-ups.
3. Treatment Options
Ask what diagnostic testing and treatment approaches are available. Rheumatology care can involve medication management, injections, monitoring, lifestyle recommendations, physical therapy referrals, and specialist coordination depending on the diagnosis.
4. Communication Style
Chronic arthritis often requires long-term care. Choose a doctor who explains your diagnosis clearly, answers questions, and involves you in treatment decisions.
5. Insurance and Appointment Availability
Before scheduling, verify whether the doctor accepts your insurance and whether your plan requires a referral or authorization. Provider networks and availability can change.
 

Benefits of Seeing a Rheumatologist for Joint Pain

A rheumatologist can offer several advantages when joint symptoms may involve inflammation or an autoimmune disorder.
Accurate Diagnosis
Joint pain can have many causes. Rheumatologists use medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests, imaging, and clinical judgment to identify possible causes.
Personalized Treatment
Treatment can vary considerably depending on whether symptoms are caused by rheumatoid arthritis, gout, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, or another condition.
Long-Term Disease Management
Many rheumatic diseases require monitoring over time. Regular appointments allow physicians to assess symptoms, treatment response, medication effects, and disease progression.
Access to Specialized Care
Large academic health systems may provide access to multidisciplinary specialists, advanced diagnostic services, clinical research, and specialty programs. UCLA, for example, describes its rheumatology division as providing consultation, diagnosis, treatment, research, and care for a broad range of rheumatic conditions.
 

How to Choose the Right Rheumatologist in Los Angeles​​​​​​​

Before booking your first appointment, consider these questions:
* Does the doctor treat my specific condition? 
* Is the physician accepting new patients?
* Is the office conveniently located?
* Does the doctor accept my insurance?
* Do I need a referral from my primary care physician?
* Does the practice offer in-person or virtual appointments?
* What tests or medical records should I bring?
* Will the physician coordinate care with my primary care doctor or other specialists?
* Does the office provide ongoing follow-up for chronic conditions?
It is also useful to prepare a short list of your symptoms, when they started, which joints are affected, what makes them better or worse, previous diagnoses, medications, allergies, and relevant test results.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When should I see a rheumatologist for joint pain?  
Consider discussing a rheumatology referral with your healthcare provider when joint pain, swelling, stiffness, or other symptoms persist or suggest an inflammatory or autoimmune condition. A rheumatologist can determine whether further evaluation is appropriate.
2. What is the difference between a rheumatologist and an orthopedic doctor?
Rheumatologists primarily diagnose and medically manage rheumatic, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions. Orthopedic physicians focus on the musculoskeletal system and may provide surgical and nonsurgical treatment for injuries and structural problems. Some patients may need care from both specialties.
3. Can a rheumatologist treat osteoarthritis?
Yes. Rheumatologists can evaluate and manage osteoarthritis, although the appropriate specialist depends on the severity and nature of the condition. UCLA's rheumatology service specifically lists osteoarthritis among the conditions it manages.
4. Do rheumatologists treat rheumatoid arthritis?
Yes. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the major conditions treated by rheumatologists. Treatment may involve medications, monitoring, lifestyle measures, and other interventions depending on the patient's condition.
5. What should I bring to my first rheumatology appointment?
Bring your medication list, previous laboratory and imaging results, medical records, insurance information, and a list of symptoms and questions. If another physician referred you, ask whether additional records should be sent before the appointment.
6. Can joint pain be caused by an autoimmune disease?
Yes. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases can cause joint pain and inflammation. A medical evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause.
7. Are there rheumatologists near Downtown Los Angeles?
Yes. UCLA Health has a Downtown Los Angeles rheumatology location at 700 West 7th Street, Suite S270, and lists Chen Xie, MD, among its rheumatologists there.
8. Are there rheumatologists in Santa Monica?
Yes. UCLA Health operates a dedicated Santa Monica Rheumatology location at 2020 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 540. Its rheumatology team includes physicians such as Tanaz Kermani, Kristal Choi, Veena Ranganath, Neha Singh, Benedict Tiong, Linh Truong, and Howard Yang.
9. Does every person with joint pain need a rheumatologist?
No. Joint pain can result from injuries, overuse, degenerative changes, infections, nerve problems, autoimmune disease, and other causes. Your primary care physician can help determine which type of specialist is appropriate.
 

Conclusion​​​​​​​
Finding the right rheumatologist in Los Angeles for arthritis and joint pain can make a meaningful difference when symptoms are persistent, complex, or affecting your quality of life. Los Angeles offers access to specialists through major academic and healthcare systems, including UCLA Health and Cedars-Sinai, with physicians covering conditions ranging from common arthritis to complex autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The doctors featured in this guide represent different practice locations and areas of rheumatology expertise. Christina Charles-Schoeman, Thanda Aung, Yaqoot Khan, Sravani Penumarty, Chen Xie, and Tanaz Kermani practice within UCLA Health's extensive rheumatology network, while Elizabeth Frame, Chia-Chi Lee, Benjamin Kretzmann, and Nicole Ward provide rheumatology care through Cedars-Sinai.
When choosing among them, focus on the factors that matter most to you: your diagnosis, the physician's expertise, location, appointment availability, insurance coverage, and communication style. Most importantly, verify current provider information directly with the healthcare organization before scheduling because doctors' locations, insurance participation, availability, and contact details can change.
If your joint pain is persistent or accompanied by swelling, stiffness, fatigue, or other concerning symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional rather than trying to self-diagnose the cause.

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