Arthritis Treatment for Patients from Krakow
Arthritis care for the knee, hand, shoulder and other joints can include PRP and SVF cell therapy, always after a doctor checks your case and tests
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?
In arthritis the joint is inflamed. People typically notice pain even at rest or at night, stiffness on waking that goes on for more than half an hour, swelling, and a red, warm joint. Behind it may be an autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, an infection or old trauma.
PRP and SVF can lessen inflammation and pain and back up the tissues in the joint, but systemic disease remains the rheumatologist's job. The procedure is skipped while there is an active joint infection or a severe flare, and the doctor first confirms the form of arthritis before choosing when to proceed.
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
Wear of the joint surfaces, and pain after overuse or strain from sport
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness and aching in the wrist and in the small finger joints
Knee
Pain on stairs or after walking, cartilage wear and meniscus problems
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain when lifting the arm, and wear affecting the joint and surrounding tendons
Methods we use
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.
Once the acute flare has settled, it is used in inflammatory arthritis for its effect on tissue repair and local inflammation.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
From a small amount of your blood, plasma rich in growth factors and platelets is separated and injected into the joint. It helps to calm inflammation and creates better conditions for repairing tissue.
Rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis may call for it as one part of the overall treatment plan.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
From a small amount of blood drawn from a vein, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later on.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and separates into layers; next, 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
Ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely as the prepared material is injected 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
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
From a small amount of blood drawn from a vein, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later on.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and separates into layers; next, 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
Ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely as the prepared material is injected 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
It is a doctor who decides, after examining you and going through your scans, 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 joint to be treated, 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
Most patients return home the same day and to normal activity within a day or two; small dressings are put over the puncture sites. The first week may bring slightly more aching in the joint, which is an expected reaction. During the first month the pain tends to ease, during about three months mobility and activity improve, and over around six months the full effect develops. How long it lasts depends on the person — the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — so a fixed result cannot be promised by anyone. Do not stop medication prescribed by your rheumatologist without talking to them first.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Your own joint stays: we work on keeping it rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Nothing donor or synthetic — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used
No crutches
Local anaesthetic and punctures in place of incisions mean no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
An independent assessment from a doctor, free of charge, once you send your X-rays, MRI or reports
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?
An inflammatory disease of the joints, arthritis typically causes resting and night-time pain, morning stiffness beyond 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth. Causes range from autoimmune conditions, for example rheumatoid arthritis, to infections, gout and psoriasis.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
To help lower local inflammation, pain and swelling, PRP may be used in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis. Growth factors from platelets act on the immune response and on tissue repair. It supplements the treatment prescribed by your rheumatologist without replacing it.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely. The aim is long remission: controlling inflammation and preventing joint deformity. Regenerative injections can be 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?
The procedure is off the table during an active joint infection, a severe flare or pregnancy, and with cancer or blood clotting disorders — the doctor postpones it or suggests another option instead.
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?
Inflammation keeps stimulating the pain receptors in the joint all the time — during movement, at rest and at night. Treatment aimed at reducing the inflammation, including PRP and SVF, can ease this pain.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No. Joint injections — PRP and SVF too — are not given in pregnancy, as it is a contraindication. A rheumatologist and an obstetrician decide on arthritis treatment during pregnancy together.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. A doctor looks at your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood tests free of charge and says whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis — simply send them.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Without treatment it can lead to permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys. Timely treatment is needed to prevent these complications.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
What Krakow residents ask about arthritis
The causes of arthritis vary: autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, infection or an old injury. In Krakow, the doctor first confirms the type of arthritis, because treatment depends on it.
Pregnancy is a contraindication to joint injections, including PRP and SVF. For patients from Krakow, arthritis treatment during pregnancy is decided only with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician.
Arthritis treatment in Krakow: price at consultation, free case review, own tissue only. Leave your name and phone number, or message us in any messenger.
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