Arthritis Treatment in Cologne with PRP and SVF
First a doctor reviews your tests and history; then PRP and SVF cell therapy may join your arthritis care for the knee, hand, shoulder or other joints
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
What is arthritis
and when does this treatment fit?
When a joint becomes inflamed, doctors call it arthritis. Common signs include night and resting pain, morning stiffness longer than half an hour, swelling, and redness with warmth over the joint. It can stem from autoimmune disease (rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis), gout, infection or an earlier injury.
While PRP and SVF can lower inflammation and pain and help the joint's inner tissues, a systemic disease still needs a rheumatologist — these injections do not take their place. They are never given during an active joint infection or a strong flare; the doctor first establishes the type of arthritis and times the procedure.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large and small joints are treated, with the doctor choosing the joint, method and number of injections based on your scans
Elbow
Joint surfaces that have worn, plus pain after sports strain or overuse
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff, painful small joints in the fingers and wrist
Knee
Meniscus problems, cartilage wear, and pain on the stairs and after walking
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Raising the arm hurts; the joint and the tendons around it are worn
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
A small sample of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a mix of cells involved in tissue repair. Combined with your own plasma, it is injected into the affected joint.
Its effect on local inflammation and tissue repair is why it is used in inflammatory arthritis, after the acute flare has settled.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
Plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is separated from a small amount of your blood and injected into the joint. It helps calm inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.
In rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, the doctor may recommend it as one piece of the overall treatment plan.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
First comes an examination of the joint and a look at your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound; then the doctor decides whether the procedure fits your case. Existing scans can be sent before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein, and from it platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is later prepared.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is collected under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample is placed in a centrifuge, where it splits into layers. From these the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Guided by ultrasound for accurate placement, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint.
Follow-up
No hospital stay and no crutches. Once the procedure is done, the doctor remains in touch and tracks how your joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
First comes an examination of the joint and a look at your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound; then the doctor decides whether the procedure fits your case. Existing scans can be sent before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein, and from it platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is later prepared.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is collected under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample is placed in a centrifuge, where it splits into layers. From these the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Guided by ultrasound for accurate placement, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint.
Follow-up
No hospital stay and no crutches. Once the procedure is done, the doctor remains in touch and tracks how your joint responds.
Follow-up visits
At each follow-up visit the doctor checks the joint's response and adjusts the plan — over the first month pain usually eases, over about three months mobility improves, and over around six months the full effect develops.
Conditions we treat
Your scans are reviewed and you are examined before a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you
What we work with
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions
Contraindications
Cancer
Pregnancy
Blood clotting disorders
Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
Cancer
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Serious heart, kidney or liver disease
Temporary contraindications: skin inflammation over the target joint, or a fever, a cold or flu
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
A same-day return home is usual, and normal daily activity comes back within a day or two; the puncture sites just need small dressings. Some extra aching in the first week is an expected reaction. Expect pain to ease over the first month, mobility and activity to improve over about three months, and the full effect to develop over around six months. The duration is different for everyone and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — a fixed result is something nobody can promise. Patients treated by a rheumatologist should not stop prescribed medication without discussing it with them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Rather than replacing your joint, we work to keep it — this is treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Only material from your body — your blood and adipose tissue — and nothing synthetic or from a donor
No crutches
Instead of incisions we use punctures, with local anaesthetic and no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send X-rays, MRI results or reports and a doctor will assess them independently and free of charge
Support after the procedure
Staying in touch after the procedure, we follow the outcome and not only the injection day
Arthritis treatment prices
The cost depends on the joint, the type of arthritis and the method, so the doctor names it after the consultation
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is arthritis and what are its symptoms?
Arthritis — inflammation of the joints — typically shows as pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness of more than 30 minutes, swelling, and redness with warmth over the joint. It may result from autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid arthritis, for instance), infections, gout or psoriasis.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
It does not replace the treatment prescribed by your rheumatologist, but PRP can complement it: in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis it may help reduce local inflammation, pain and swelling, as platelet growth factors influence the immune response and tissue repair.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
The aim with psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely, is long remission — controlling inflammation and stopping joint deformity. One part of that plan can be regenerative injections.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
The cells in SVF can modulate the immune response locally and support repair of damaged joint tissue. As research in this area continues, the doctor will discuss what you can realistically expect for your type of arthritis.
When is the treatment not suitable?
The doctor postpones the procedure or suggests another option in cases of active joint infection, a severe flare, pregnancy, cancer or blood clotting disorders, as it is not done then.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
Knee arthritis is inflammation caused by gout, an infection or an autoimmune reaction, with redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness to touch. Osteoarthritis is cartilage wear and usually shows as aching pain and a dry crunch on movement.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
In an inflamed joint the pain receptors are stimulated all the time — during movement, at rest and at night. This pain can be eased by treatment aimed at reducing the inflammation, such as PRP and SVF.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No. Joint injections, PRP and SVF included, are contraindicated in pregnancy. Treatment of arthritis during pregnancy is decided only together with an obstetrician and a rheumatologist.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. Once you send your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results, a doctor reviews them at no cost and says whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys can follow if it goes untreated. Timely treatment is needed to prevent this.
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Other services at our clinic
Arthritis treatment in Cologne: what you should know
Arthritis treatment in Cologne uses your own tissue: platelet-rich plasma from a small blood sample and the stromal vascular fraction from a small adipose tissue sample. There is no donor or synthetic material.
PRP may be given as a course of injections or together with SVF. The method and number of injections are chosen for each patient from Cologne after the examination.
Send your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results. Patients from Cologne receive a free assessment and a clear answer on suitable treatment and its price.
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