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

Arthritis Treatment in Kinshasa: Steps and Aftercare

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?

With arthritis, a joint is inflamed. Signs to watch for: pain while resting and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than half an hour, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. There are several causes — autoimmune conditions (rheumatoid, psoriatic arthritis), gout, infection or an injury from the past.

  • 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

Suitability is decided by a doctor following an examination and a review of your scans

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: a cold, flu or fever, or 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

The joint is examined and your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed by the doctor, who then decides if the procedure is suitable. Scans you already hold can be sent before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A little blood is drawn from a vein, and from it platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is later prepared.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

The doctor numbs the area with local anaesthetic and takes about 30 ml of adipose tissue through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh; stitches are not needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is then isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The affected joint receives the prepared material by direct injection under ultrasound guidance, for precise placement.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

The doctor follows how the joint responds and stays in touch after the procedure — and you need no crutches or hospital stay.

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

The treatment relies only on your own blood and adipose tissue, not on donor or synthetic material

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.

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

Once the acute flare has settled, it is used in inflammatory arthritis for its effect on tissue repair and local inflammation.

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

Your blood, in a small amount, provides plasma rich in platelets and growth factors; injected into the joint, it helps ease inflammation and creates better conditions for repair of the tissues.

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

It may be advised for rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis, always as just one part 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

Any size of joint, large or small: your scans are reviewed first, then the doctor settles on the joint, the method and the number of injections

  • KneeKneePain on stairs or after walking, cartilage wear and meniscus problems
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain lifting the arm, with wear of the joint and its surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain following overuse or sports strain, along with worn joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Rather than replacing your joint, we work to keep it — this is treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

The treatment relies only on your own blood and adipose tissue, not on donor or synthetic material

No crutches

No crutches

Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; and rehabilitation that is not long

Second opinion

Second opinion

A doctor independently assesses the X-rays, MRI or reports you send — free of charge

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

The result matters to us beyond injection day, so we stay in touch after the procedure

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

The cost depends on the joint, the type of arthritis and the method, so the doctor names it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Arthritis treatment in Kinshasa: a short guide

The causes of arthritis vary: autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, infection or an old injury. In Kinshasa, the doctor first confirms the type of arthritis, because treatment depends on it.

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 Kinshasa after the examination.

Patients from Kinshasa can start with a free review of their tests and scans: the doctor tells you whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis and what it would cost.

Arthritis and everyday life in Kinshasa

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with an estimated population of 18.5 million in 2026. It is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world and the largest French-speaking urban area on the planet. Life here moves quickly: long days in traffic, work in banking, telecommunications, manufacturing and entertainment, markets, schools, church gatherings and music in the evening. A person with painful joints feels every one of these routines, because every one of them involves standing, walking, climbing into shared transport or carrying something.

Arthritis is not simply wear that comes with age. It is inflammation of the joints. 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. Residents of Kinshasa often describe it in practical terms: it is hard to get out of bed in the morning, hard to stand through a long working day, hard to dance at a family celebration. These everyday descriptions are useful for the doctor, so it is worth noting them down before the first conversation.

This text is written for people in Kinshasa who are considering arthritis treatment with SVF therapy and want to understand how the remote consultation works, what to prepare, and how the climate and rhythm of the city affect planning and recovery.

What kind of joint inflammation is it? Causes worth discussing

Before any treatment is planned, the doctor needs to understand why the joint is inflamed. Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Each cause calls for a different approach, and a procedure that supports the joint does not replace treatment of the underlying disease. This is why a clear picture of the diagnosis matters more than the name of any single method.

In a large city like Kinshasa, many people have already seen several doctors, taken laboratory tests and received prescriptions from different places. Gather everything in one folder or as clear photographs: test results, imaging reports, discharge notes and the list of medicines you take now and have taken before. If you have noticed skin changes, for example patches that could be linked to psoriasis, mention them. If attacks of sudden pain in one joint come after rich meals or alcohol, say so, since that points toward gout.

The city has twenty hospitals as well as many medical centres and polyclinics, so a local examination and tests are usually available close to home. The online consultation does not replace them. It works alongside them: your local results become the basis for the discussion with the centre's specialists.

How SVF therapy is described for joints

SVF therapy uses the patient's own adipose 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. For many patients this is reassuring, because there is no large wound to protect during a busy week in the city.

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 the most important point for a patient to understand. The method is not presented as suitable for everyone, and the stage of the joint damage decides whether it is worth discussing at all.

If you have had hip pain for a long time and your imaging already shows advanced changes, a frank conversation with the specialist is better than hope built on a general description. If the changes are at an early stage, the sooner the question is raised, the more options remain open. Both situations are discussed openly in the online consultation.

Climate of Kinshasa and recovery

Under the Köppen classification Kinshasa has a tropical wet and dry climate. The long rainy season lasts from October through May, and the shorter dry season runs from June to September. The dry season is slightly cooler than the wet one, but temperatures stay fairly constant through the year. For recovery this means that there is no cold winter to plan around, yet heat and humidity are present almost all the time.

After the small puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, the main everyday concerns are keeping the area clean and dry, avoiding friction from tight belts or waistbands, and not overheating. In the humid months, sweat can irritate a fresh puncture, so light cotton clothing and a clean dressing changed as the doctor advises are sensible. Dust in the dry season is another reason to keep the area covered and to wash hands before touching it.

Rain brings its own difficulties: flooded streets, slippery ground, and a long wait for transport. For a person with painful joints, a fall is a real danger. When planning the days after the procedure, choose footwear with a good grip, avoid unnecessary walking in heavy rain, and arrange for someone to help with errands. General advice about the pool, the river or any open water should come from your doctor; until the puncture has healed, it is usual to be cautious.

Work, study and family life: choosing the moment

Kinshasa is the leading economic, political and cultural centre of the country. Many residents work in offices, banks, telecommunications, trade or manufacturing, and many run their own small business, where absence from the workplace is felt at once. A person who sits at a desk can often return to work sooner than someone who spends the day standing at a market stall, loading goods or walking between sites. Describe your working day precisely to the specialist, and ask which parts of it should be reduced at the beginning.

Students at the city's universities and institutes have their own calendar of lectures and examinations. If joint pain makes it hard to sit through a long lecture or to climb stairs, it is reasonable to plan the procedure for a calmer period of the academic year. Parents with young children should think about who will lift and carry during the first days.

Family events such as weddings, funerals and church celebrations are central to life in the city, and people understandably do not want to miss them. Raise the dates in advance. A coordinator can help you see which period is realistic. Pushing treatment around a major event is usually easier than trying to hurry recovery in order to attend.

Food, weight and joints

Congolese cooking is rich and varied: cassava, fish from the river, plantain, beans, leafy vegetables, grilled meat and fried street food. Much of this is nutritious, and the way it is prepared and the portions matter. Extra body weight places additional load on the hips and knees, and the World Health Organization treats overweight and obesity as a significant health problem worldwide. For a person with arthritis, gradual weight control is a useful support, whatever treatment is chosen.

If gout is among the possible causes, certain foods and drinks may trigger attacks, and the doctor can advise on what to limit. Do not make drastic changes on your own, and do not stop prescribed medicines because of a diet you read about. Mention any supplements or traditional remedies you take, because some can interact with medication or affect healing.

In the days around the procedure, simple meals with enough protein and fluids support recovery. Keep drinking water in the heat, and avoid alcohol until the doctor says it is acceptable.

Staying active: sport, walking and movement

Football is part of the city's character, and many residents play with friends on weekends or dance for hours at music events. Kinshasa has a lively music scene, and dancing is a normal part of social life. With arthritis, the wish to keep moving is healthy, but overloading an inflamed joint can make pain worse the next day.

After the small procedure, the doctor will say when ordinary walking is fine and when sport or the pool should wait. Follow these instructions rather than the way you feel on a good day. A joint may feel better quickly, yet the tissue still needs time. Return to sport should be gradual: first gentle walking, then longer sessions, and only later running, jumping or intense dancing, always in agreement with the specialist.

Ask also about exercises that strengthen the muscles around the joint without overloading it. Muscles act as a natural support, and a physiotherapist can show you a short programme that can be done at home even in a small apartment.

How the online consultation works from Kinshasa

The consultation is free and takes place online. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on WhatsApp and Telegram, which suits a city where people work at very different hours. You write a message, send your documents and describe your symptoms. A specialist then studies the information and answers your questions.

Prepare in advance: the date when the pain began, which joints are affected, what makes the pain better or worse, how long morning stiffness lasts, medicines taken so far, and your imaging and laboratory results. Clear photographs of documents, taken in good light, save time. If the connection is unstable, which can happen in a large city, a written exchange or voice messages are enough at first.

The specialist will tell you honestly whether SVF therapy is worth considering at your stage, whether further examination is needed, and what the next steps would be. You are under no obligation to decide during the first conversation. Take time, discuss it with your family, and return with new questions when they arise.

Questions to ask the specialist

Useful questions include: What is the most likely cause of my joint inflammation? Which stage is my joint at, according to my imaging? Is SVF therapy relevant for me, or is another approach more appropriate? What does the procedure involve, and what anaesthetic is used? How will the puncture area be cared for in a hot, humid climate? Which activities should I avoid, and for how long? How will we judge whether the treatment is working, and when?

Also ask what would make you unsuitable. Active infection, an untreated underlying disease or very advanced joint damage can change the plan. A responsible doctor will name these limits openly and will not promise a result. The outcome depends on the individual person, the stage and the cause.

Is the consultation really free for someone in Kinshasa?

Yes. The online consultation is free. You contact the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, they are available around the clock (24/7), and you send your documents and questions in writing.

What is the first sign that I should see a doctor about my joints?

Pain even at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and a warm joint are typical signs of arthritis. If you notice them, do not wait for the pain to become unbearable. Early assessment gives more choices.

Can SVF therapy help at any stage?

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. The specialist will look at your imaging and tell you which situation applies.

How is the material for SVF obtained?

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.

Does the cause of arthritis matter?

Very much. Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Each needs its own treatment, and a procedure supporting the joint does not replace it. Bring all your test results to the consultation.

How does the hot, humid climate of Kinshasa affect healing of the puncture?

Heat, sweat and dust can irritate a fresh puncture. Wear light, loose cotton clothing, keep the area clean and covered as the doctor instructs, and avoid friction from tight belts. The rainy season lasts from October through May and the dry season from June to September, so humidity or dust is present in any month. Ask about pools and open water, and wait until the doctor allows them.

When is the best season for the procedure?

Temperatures in Kinshasa remain fairly constant through the year, so the season matters less than your personal schedule. The dry season, from June to September, means less rain and fewer slippery streets, which is helpful for someone with painful joints. Choose a calm period at work or university, without major family events right after the procedure.

When can I go back to work or sport?

This depends on your work and on how you feel. Office work is usually resumed sooner than heavy standing or lifting. Sport returns gradually: walking first, then longer activity, and intense effort last. The specialist will give instructions for your situation, and it is wise to follow them rather than your mood on a good day.

Who is not a suitable candidate?

In general terms, people with an active infection, an untreated underlying disease, or very advanced joint damage may not be suitable. Only an examination and a review of your documents can show this, and the specialist will explain the reasons openly.