Arthritis Treatment in Lyon
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
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?
Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness that lasts longer than half an hour, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The causes vary: autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, infection or an old injury.
Helping to reduce inflammation and pain and to support tissue inside the joint — that is the role of PRP and SVF, alongside, not instead of, a rheumatologist's care for a systemic disease. The doctor first confirms the type of arthritis and waits for the right moment, never acting during a severe flare or an active joint infection.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
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
Elbow
Wear of the joint surfaces, and pain after overuse or strain from sport
Hand and wrist joints
Finger and wrist small joints that are stiff and painful
Knee
Pain after walking and on stairs, meniscus problems and cartilage wear
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
Your adipose tissue, in a small sample, is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a combination of cells engaged in tissue repair. The affected joint then receives it by injection, together with your own plasma.
For inflammatory arthritis it is applied after the acute flare has calmed, because of its effect on local inflammation and on tissue repair.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
It helps calm inflammation and improves conditions for tissue repair: plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, separated from a small amount of your blood and injected into the joint.
Recommended in some cases of rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, it is one part of a broader treatment plan.
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
Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later from a small amount of blood taken from your vein.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, local anaesthetic and about 30 ml of adipose tissue taken — the site needs no stitches.
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
Guided by ultrasound for accurate placement, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint.
Follow-up
No crutches and no hospital stay. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure and follows how the joint responds.
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
Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later from a small amount of blood taken from your vein.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, local anaesthetic and about 30 ml of adipose tissue taken — the site needs no stitches.
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
Guided by ultrasound for accurate placement, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint.
Follow-up
No crutches and no hospital stay. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure and follows how the joint responds.
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
An examination and a review of your scans come first; then 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: a fever, cold or flu, or any skin inflammation over the joint planned for treatment
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 people are home the same day and back to their usual routine within a day or two, the puncture sites covered with small dressings. The joint may ache a little more during the first week, as expected. Over the first month the pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and the full effect builds over around six months. How long it holds varies individually with the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors, so no fixed result can be promised. If a rheumatologist treats you, do not drop your prescribed medication without consulting them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery that sets out to keep your own joint instead of replacing it
Your own tissue
Only your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
No long rehabilitation — just punctures instead of incisions and local anaesthetic
Second opinion
A doctor will give you an independent assessment free of charge — just send your X-rays, MRI or reports
Support after the procedure
We follow your result and stay in touch after the procedure, not just on injection day
Arthritis treatment prices
Cost varies with the joint, the arthritis type and the method, so it is named by the doctor 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 is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and 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?
There is currently no way to cure psoriatic arthritis completely, as it is a chronic disease. The aim is long remission: keeping inflammation in check and preventing joint deformity, with regenerative injections as one possible part of the plan.
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 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?
With knee arthritis, an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout causes inflammation — redness, warmth, marked swelling, tenderness to touch. Osteoarthritis is different: the cartilage wears, and the usual signs are a dry crunch and aching pain during movement.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
Inflammation stimulates the pain receptors in the joint constantly — on movement, at rest and at night. Treatment that aims to reduce inflammation, PRP and SVF included, can ease this pain.
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 — send us your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results. A doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you whether your type of arthritis could suit regenerative treatment.
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
About arthritis treatment for patients from Lyon
SVF contains cells that can modulate the local immune response and support the repair of damaged tissue. Research is ongoing, so the doctor discusses realistic expectations with every patient in Lyon.
Most patients in Lyon go home the same day and return to normal daily activity within a day or two. During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction.
The cost of arthritis treatment depends on the joint, the type of arthritis and the method, so the price is set at the consultation. For patients from Lyon, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.
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