City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

Arthritis Treatment for Patients from Goma

PRP and SVF cell therapy as part of arthritis care for the knee, hand, shoulder and other joints. A doctor reviews your case and tests first

Knee joint: regenerative treatment without surgery
Joint treatment without surgery. Free consultation and review of your scans

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

What it is

What is arthritis
and when does this treatment fit?

Put simply, arthritis is joint inflammation. The joint may hurt at rest and at night, feel stiff each morning for more than half an hour, swell, redden and feel warm. Causes include autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, as well as gout, infection or an old injury.

  • No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
  • Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
  • Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Knee joint: an injection under ultrasound guidance

Who the treatment suits

Your scans are reviewed and you are examined before a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you

Suitable

A doctor reviews knee X-rays with a patient
  • Pain, crunching or stiffness in a joint
  • Painkillers only help for a short time
  • Recovery after injuries and surgery
  • You need a second opinion on your scans
  • You want to avoid or postpone joint replacement
  • Early or moderate arthrosis or arthritis
  • High load on the joints — sport or physical work

Not suitable

A doctor examines a patient's knee
  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
  • Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
  • Temporary contraindications: fever, a cold or flu, skin inflammation over the joint to be treated

Not sure the treatment is right for you?

Leave your number — the coordinator will ask for your scans (X-ray, MRI or ultrasound), and the doctor will tell you whether treatment without surgery suits you.

Find out if it suits me

What we treat

Conditions we treat

How it works

How the procedure goes: step by step

Consultation and scan review1

Consultation and scan review

Whether the procedure suits you is decided once the doctor has examined your joint and reviewed your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. If scans already exist, you can send them before visiting.

Blood sample for PRP2

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.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Under local anaesthetic, a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

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.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Guided by ultrasound for accurate placement, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

You go without crutches or a hospital stay, while the doctor keeps in touch after the procedure and follows the joint's response.

Book a consultation

Call or message us — our coordinator will contact you shortly and book your consultation

A doctor talks with a patient about joint treatment
Book a consultation
A doctor talks with a patient about joint treatment

Results

After the procedure

  • Doctor talking warmly with a patient after the procedure

    1 week

    The joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction.

  • Doctor consulting an older patient one month after treatment

    1 month

    The pain usually eases.

  • Doctor explaining progress to a patient using a knee joint model

    ~3 months

    Mobility and activity improve.

  • Doctor and patient walking together at a follow-up visit

    ~6 months

    The full effect develops.

How long it lasts differs from person to person and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — no one can promise a fixed result.

Comparison

Methods we use

No synthetic or donor material is involved — only your own adipose tissue and blood

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

A little of your adipose tissue is collected and processed so that the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a mixture of cells that help tissue repair, can be isolated. Together with your own plasma it is injected into the joint that is affected.

A doctor explains SVF cell therapy for the knee to a patient on a tablet

In cases of inflammatory arthritis it comes in once the acute flare has eased, for its effect on local inflammation and repair of tissue.

Material
Your adipose tissue and plasma
How it is given
Into the joint, under ultrasound
Duration
The whole procedure is done in one day.

PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood

Separated from a small volume of your blood, plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is injected into the joint to help calm inflammation and create better conditions for tissue repair.

A doctor explains PRP therapy for joints to a patient on a monitor

For rheumatoid and other forms of inflammatory arthritis it may be suggested as one component of the overall plan of treatment.

Material
Your blood from a vein
How it is given
Into the joint, under ultrasound
Duration
The whole procedure is done in one day.

The benefits and timings shown are averaged and given for guidance: the plan and recovery depend on your joint and individual features, and the doctor confirms them at the consultation.

At the consultation the doctor will review your scans and suggest a treatment plan

Free consultation

Book a consultation

Joints

Joints we treat

Small joints as well as large — the doctor reviews your scans and then chooses the joint, the method and how many injections to give

  • KneeKneeCartilage that has worn, meniscus trouble, pain after walks and on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain on lifting the arm and wear of the joint and nearby tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain from overuse or strain during sport, and wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPainful, stiff small joints of the wrist and fingers
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your natural joint rather than having it replaced: treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

No synthetic or donor material is involved — only your own adipose tissue and blood

No crutches

No crutches

No incisions, only punctures; local anaesthetic; no long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Send us your X-rays, MRI or medical reports for a free, independent assessment by a doctor

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

After the injection day we stay in touch and keep following the result

About the clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Modern equipment, comfortable rooms and care for every patient

A doctor and a patient at the clinic

Contact us the way that suits you

We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation

Request a free call

Price

Arthritis treatment prices

After the consultation the doctor names the cost, which depends on the joint, the arthritis type and the method

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Arthritis treatment in Goma: what you should know

Growth factors released by platelets influence the immune response and tissue repair. For patients from Goma with rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, PRP may be one part of the overall plan.

The procedure is also not done with cancer, blood clotting disorders or during a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. The doctor checks this for every patient in Goma at the consultation.

How much does arthritis treatment cost in Goma? The doctor names the price after confirming the type of arthritis and choosing PRP, SVF or a combination. Send a request or message us in any messenger.

Goma and arthritis: why joint health matters on the shore of Lake Kivu

Goma is the capital and largest city of North Kivu province, in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the northern shore of Lake Kivu. A 2024 estimate put its population at approximately 782,000 people, and other estimates are higher because not all migration is officially recorded. It is a busy, crowded, working city where people spend a lot of the day on their feet: in markets, on construction work, at the port, in classrooms and in family compounds. For anyone with a painful joint, that daily rhythm turns arthritis from a medical term into a practical problem.

Arthritis means that the joints are affected by inflammation. In Goma, as everywhere, the typical picture is pain even at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and a joint that feels warm to the touch. Residents often describe it in everyday words: the knee that will not bend in the morning, the hands that cannot grip a bucket handle, the hip that hurts when lying on one side. If this sounds familiar, it is worth putting a name and a cause to the problem before choosing any treatment.

This text is written for people in Goma who want to understand what arthritis treatment with a cell-based approach involves, how to plan it around the real life of the city, and which questions to bring to a specialist during a free online consultation with the City Medical Centre coordinators, who are available around the clock (24/7) on WhatsApp and Telegram.

Understanding the causes before choosing a treatment

Inflammation of a joint does not have a single cause. Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Each of these needs a different approach, which is why a careful diagnosis comes first. A person in Goma who has had swollen, warm joints for a long time should not assume it is simply age or hard work; an inflammatory process may be involved, and it deserves a proper assessment.

Health care in the city is delivered through a range of hospitals, private clinics, public health centres and health posts, and many families first go to the nearest facility for a basic check. That is a sensible start. What patients often lack is a second opinion from a specialist in joint disease who can look at the whole history: when the pain started, whether it is worse at night, how long the morning stiffness lasts, whether the skin is affected, and whether several joints are involved at once.

During the online consultation you can describe these details in your own words and send existing test results, reports and images through the messenger chat. The specialist will tell you whether the picture suggests an inflammatory condition, whether more investigations are needed locally, and whether a cell-based procedure could realistically be considered in your case.

What the procedure involves, step by step

The approach discussed for suitable patients begins with collecting your own tissue. Under local anaesthetic, a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed. Because the puncture is small and the anaesthetic is local, patients usually find the idea less intimidating than they expected before the conversation.

From this tissue the stromal vascular fraction, known as SVF, is prepared. At early stages (1–2), SVF therapy may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement. At later stages surgery is usually required. This distinction is central: the method is not a substitute for an operation when the joint is already badly damaged, and an honest specialist will tell you so.

For a person in Goma the practical meaning is simple. The earlier the joint problem is clarified, the more options remain open. Waiting while pain is managed only with rest and over-the-counter remedies can mean that the opportunity at stages 1–2 passes. That is why the first online conversation is useful even if you are not yet sure you want any procedure.

Climate and recovery: mild weather, sun and dust

Goma has a tropical savanna climate, but it is much milder than most places at its latitude because of the city's high altitude. Warm days and pleasant nights are typical year-round. For recovery this is helpful: there is no extreme heat that makes a puncture area uncomfortable under clothing, and no cold season that stiffens inflamed joints more than necessary.

Even so, a few general habits matter. Keep the small puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh clean and dry, and wear loose, breathable cotton clothing that does not rub it. Protect the area from direct strong sun, which is intense at altitude near the equator. If your doctor recommends a support or compression garment for the treated joint or the puncture area, wear it as instructed and choose a fabric that breathes in the warm daytime hours.

The volcanic ground around the city produces fine dust on dry, windy days, especially on unpaved roads. Cover the puncture area, wash your hands before touching it, and ask your doctor when swimming in the lake or a pool is acceptable. Do not decide this yourself: water exposure is a question for the specialist who knows how your wound is healing.

Volcanic terrain, hills and walking during recovery

Goma stands on a plain of volcanic lava that slopes gently toward Lake Kivu, with a surface of basalt flows and hills such as Mount Goma and Mount Ndosho breaking up the landscape. Elevations in the northern part of the plain range from 1,640 to 2,000 m. For someone with arthritis in the knees, hips, ankles or feet, this uneven rock and the slopes between neighbourhoods are a real consideration, not a detail.

When planning recovery, think about your daily route: how many slopes and rough steps lie between your home and your work, the market or the school? Ask the surgeon which kind of walking is encouraged and which should be avoided in the early period. Gentle, regular movement on level ground is usually preferred to long stretches on rough surfaces, but the exact advice depends on which joint is treated and on your general condition.

Footwear deserves attention. Sturdy shoes with a stable sole help on basalt surfaces, and a walking stick, if recommended, can reduce load on a painful hip or knee. Discuss these simple aids during the consultation, because they often make the difference between a comfortable recovery and an unnecessarily difficult one.

Work, study, family life and food in Goma

The economy of Goma relies mainly on agriculture and trade, and many people make their living buying and selling farm products. Goods come from the neighbouring territories and from Lake Kivu, where fish markets operate along the shore twice a week. Market work means lifting, standing, bending and carrying, all of which load the joints. If you earn your living this way, ask the surgeon how long heavy lifting should be avoided and whether a gradual return to the stall or the field is possible.

Office workers, teachers and students have different needs. The city has several higher-education institutions, including the Free University of the Great Lakes Countries and the University of Goma, and education runs from kindergarten through primary and secondary school. A student with painful hands needs to know when writing and carrying books will be comfortable again; a teacher needs to know about standing through lessons. Bring a short description of your working day to the consultation so that the advice can be specific.

Food culture in Goma is built around legumes, maize, tubers and fresh fish from the lake. These are a good basis for a balanced diet. Body weight matters for load-bearing joints, and the World Health Organization notes that excess weight is a recognised health concern, so a sensible diet is a useful companion to any joint treatment. Ask the specialist for general nutrition advice that fits local foods rather than a menu you cannot follow at home. If gout is among the possible causes in your case, the doctor may also discuss which foods to limit.

Planning the timing: city events, seasons and family obligations

Because Goma has warm days and pleasant nights all year, the weather itself rarely dictates when a procedure should happen. The calendar of your life matters more. Large community events, such as the annual Amani Festival, the Goma Tourist Fair and the Goma Agricultural Fair, bring crowds, long hours of standing and dancing. If you take part in cultural performances or help with a stall, schedule the procedure well before such events, and ask the surgeon what level of activity is reasonable afterwards.

Family celebrations, weddings, funerals and church gatherings are also part of life in a city with many ethnic groups and strong community ties. They can involve long periods of sitting on low seats, standing in lines, or helping to prepare food. Tell your family about your plans in advance so that tasks can be shared and you are not pressured to carry heavy pots or stand for hours during recovery.

Choose a period when you can rest without worrying about income or obligations. Ask the surgeon about the order of steps: the collection of tissue under local anaesthetic, the preparation, the administration, and the follow-up. Then fit them around work and family, rather than trying to fit your recovery around everything else.

Return to work and sport, and questions for the surgeon

Sport is part of life in Goma, from football on open ground to walking and running on the lakeshore. Patients with arthritis often stop exercising because of pain and then feel their joints become even stiffer. A treatment plan should therefore include a clear, staged return to movement. Ask directly: when can I walk longer distances, when can I cycle or swim, and when may I play football again? Do not copy the schedule of a friend, since the joint treated, the stage of the disease and your general health all change the answer.

Good questions to bring to the specialist include: What is the exact cause of my joint inflammation? At which stage is my joint? Is SVF therapy suitable for me, or is surgery more appropriate? What anaesthetic is used, and what should I expect at the puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh? Which medicines for rheumatoid arthritis, gout or psoriasis should I continue? Which signs after the procedure require an immediate message to the coordinators?

Do not expect a single method to remove every symptom. Realistic goals are reduced pain, better movement and, at early stages, a delay in the need for joint replacement. A responsible doctor will explain that results vary between people and that no outcome can be promised.

Who may be a candidate, who should be cautious, and how the online consultation works

In general terms, the people who benefit most from a conversation about SVF therapy are those whose joint problem is at an early stage (1–2), who have a confirmed diagnosis and who want to postpone surgery. People at later stages usually need an operation, and cell-based therapy will not replace it. Active infection, an unclear diagnosis, serious general illness or unstable autoimmune disease are examples of situations in which the specialist may advise against the procedure or ask for further investigation first.

The consultation is free and takes place online, so you stay in Goma. You contact the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, available 24/7, and send a short description of your symptoms, your age, your work, your previous tests and any images. A specialist reviews them and replies with an opinion on whether the procedure is suitable, which additional examinations are advisable and what the sequence of steps would be.

There is no obligation to proceed after the conversation. Many people use it simply to understand their diagnosis better, and that has value in itself. Prepare your questions in advance, write down your medicines, and, if possible, ask a family member to join the chat so that the information is remembered accurately.

I live in Goma. Can I get a consultation without leaving the city?

Yes. The consultation is free and online. You write to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, available around the clock (24/7), send your history and test results, and receive a specialist's opinion.

How do I know that my joint pain is arthritis?

Typical signs are pain even at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and a warm joint. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis and the cause, so describe your symptoms in the consultation.

What can cause arthritis?

Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Identifying the cause is the first step because treatment differs between them.

How is the tissue for SVF therapy collected?

Under local anaesthetic, a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed.

Is SVF therapy suitable at any stage of the disease?

No. At early stages (1–2), SVF therapy may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement. At later stages surgery is usually required.

Does the warm climate of Goma affect recovery?

The city is milder than most places at its latitude because of its altitude, with warm days and pleasant nights year-round. Still, protect the puncture area from strong sun and dust, wear loose breathable clothing, and ask your doctor when swimming is allowed.

I work in a market and carry loads. When can I go back?

This depends on the joint treated and your condition. Ask the surgeon for a staged plan for lifting and standing, and arrange help from family or colleagues during the early period of recovery.

Can I walk on the hilly, rocky streets of Goma during recovery?

Gentle walking on level ground is usually preferred at first. Uneven basalt surfaces and slopes load the joints, so ask which routes and how much walking are appropriate, and wear sturdy shoes.

What should I prepare before writing to the coordinators?

Gather your symptoms, how long they have lasted, your medicines, previous test results and images, and a short description of your work and daily activity. This helps the specialist give a specific answer.