PRP Therapy for Arthritis in Essen
PRP together with SVF cell therapy supports arthritis care in the knee, hand, shoulder and other joints; first comes a doctor's review of your case
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
The doctor looks at your scans and then chooses which joint to treat, which method to use and how many injections — for large and small joints alike
Elbow
Pain brought on by overuse or sporting strain, with wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness with pain in the small joints of the fingers and the wrist
Knee
Worn cartilage, meniscus issues and pain climbing stairs or after a walk
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
The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a blend of cells involved in repairing tissue — is isolated by processing a small sample of your adipose tissue. Mixed with your own plasma, it goes into the affected joint by injection.
It is used in inflammatory arthritis — once the acute flare is over — for its influence on local inflammation and the repair of tissue.
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.
As one element of the whole treatment plan, it may be recommended in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides on the procedure only after examining the joint and reviewing your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. You are welcome to send any scans you have before the appointment.
Blood sample for PRP
Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount, later to be turned into platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is removed through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh under local anaesthetic, and no stitches are needed afterwards.
Processing in a centrifuge
Spinning in a centrifuge divides the sample into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Direct injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance helps the prepared material land exactly where it is needed.
Follow-up
The doctor follows how the joint responds and stays in touch after the procedure — and you need no crutches or hospital stay.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides on the procedure only after examining the joint and reviewing your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. You are welcome to send any scans you have before the appointment.
Blood sample for PRP
Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount, later to be turned into platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is removed through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh under local anaesthetic, and no stitches are needed afterwards.
Processing in a centrifuge
Spinning in a centrifuge divides the sample into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Direct injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance helps the prepared material land exactly where it is needed.
Follow-up
The doctor follows how the joint responds and stays in touch after the procedure — and you need no crutches or hospital stay.
Follow-up visits
The plan is adjusted at follow-up visits, where the doctor sees how the joint responds: pain tends to ease over the first month, mobility to improve over about three months, and the full effect to develop over roughly six months.
Conditions we treat
After an examination and a look at your scans, a doctor decides if the treatment is right for 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: fever, flu or a cold, or inflamed skin over the joint being treated
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
Treatment without surgery: our work is about keeping your own joint, not replacing it
Your own tissue
Just your blood and your adipose tissue; donor and synthetic materials are not used
No crutches
Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; and rehabilitation that is not long
Second opinion
Send X-rays, MRI results or reports and a doctor will assess them independently and free of charge
Support after the procedure
After the procedure we keep in touch and follow the result, not only the day of the injection
Arthritis treatment prices
The doctor names the cost after the consultation, because it depends on the joint, the type of arthritis and the method
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?
In arthritis the joints are inflamed. People usually notice pain at night and at rest, stiffness in the morning that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, and redness and heat over the joint. It can be caused by autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, by infections, by gout or by psoriasis.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
Platelets release growth factors that influence both tissue repair and the immune response, which is why PRP may be used in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis to help reduce local inflammation, pain and swelling. It complements rather than replaces your rheumatologist's prescribed treatment.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
A complete cure for psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease, is not currently possible. What we aim for is long remission — control of inflammation and prevention of joint deformity — and regenerative injections can form one part of that plan.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
In SVF there are cells that can influence the local immune response and help damaged tissue in the joint to repair. The doctor will discuss realistic expectations for your type of arthritis, since research in this area is ongoing.
When is the treatment not suitable?
It is not done during an active infection of the joint, a severe flare, pregnancy, cancer or blood clotting disorders; instead the doctor postpones the procedure or proposes another option.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
The difference: knee arthritis is inflammation from an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout (redness, warmth, marked swelling, tenderness to touch), while osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage, usually with a dry crunch and aching pain on movement.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
The joint's pain receptors are stimulated by inflammation continuously: during movement, at rest and at night. Easing this pain is possible with treatment that reduces inflammation, including PRP and SVF.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No. Because pregnancy is a contraindication to joint injections, including PRP and SVF, arthritis treatment during pregnancy is only decided jointly by a rheumatologist and an obstetrician.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. Send your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results, and a doctor will review them free of charge and tell you whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
When left without treatment it can bring permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys and other internal organs. To prevent these complications, it needs timely treatment.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Arthritis in Essen: types, methods and price
Regenerative injections are not done during an active joint infection or a severe flare. In Essen, the doctor chooses the right moment, usually once the acute inflammation has settled.
If you are being treated by a rheumatologist, do not stop your prescribed medication without talking to them. In Essen, regenerative injections are planned together with your ongoing treatment.
Book a free consultation in Essen to find out whether PRP or SVF could help your arthritis. The doctor names the price after examining the joint.
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