Arthritis Treatment in Melbourne
Your case and test results are reviewed by a doctor before PRP and SVF cell therapy is offered as part of arthritis care for the knee, hand, shoulder and more
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.
PRP and SVF may help ease inflammation and pain and support the tissues within the joint, yet they are no substitute for a rheumatologist's care of a systemic disease. We do not carry out the procedure during an active joint infection or a severe flare — the doctor first confirms which arthritis you have and picks the right moment.
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
Worn joint surfaces and pain that follows overuse or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff, painful small joints in the fingers and wrist
Knee
Meniscus problems, cartilage wear, and pain on the stairs and after walking
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain on lifting the arm and wear of the joint and nearby 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.
When the acute flare has died down, it can be used in inflammatory arthritis to act on local inflammation and help tissue repair.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
The joint receives plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, separated from a small amount of your own blood. It helps inflammation settle and creates better conditions for the tissue to repair.
In rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, the doctor may recommend it as one piece of the overall treatment plan.
How the procedure goes: step by step
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 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
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is collected under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches 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
We inject the prepared material right into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound so that it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
No crutches, no hospital stay — and after the procedure the doctor stays in touch to follow how your joint responds.
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 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
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is collected under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches 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
We inject the prepared material right into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound so that it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
No crutches, no hospital stay — and after the procedure the doctor stays in touch to follow 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
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: skin inflammation over the target joint, or 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
Small dressings are placed over the puncture sites, and most people leave the same day, returning to everyday activity within a day or two. A little more aching in the joint during the first week is an expected reaction. Over the first month pain generally eases; mobility and activity improve over about three months; the full effect develops over around six months. The duration differs between people and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and more, so a fixed result cannot be promised. Under a rheumatologist's care? Keep taking your prescribed medication unless you have discussed stopping it with them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
We work on keeping your own joint rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Everything used comes from you — your blood and adipose tissue — with no synthetic or donor material
No crutches
Punctures in place of incisions, under local anaesthetic, without a long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your X-rays, MRI or reports and a doctor will give an independent assessment free of charge
Support after the procedure
The result matters to us beyond injection day, so we stay in touch after the procedure
Arthritis treatment prices
The cost is set after the consultation: it depends on which joint, which type of arthritis and which 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?
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?
For rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis, PRP may be used to help reduce swelling, pain and local inflammation; the growth factors platelets release influence the immune response and tissue repair. It complements the treatment from your rheumatologist but does not replace it.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
As a chronic disease, psoriatic arthritis cannot yet be cured completely; treatment works towards long remission, controlled inflammation and prevention of joint deformity. Regenerative injections can be part of that plan.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
SVF includes cells that can modulate the immune response at the site and support the repair of damaged joint tissue. Since research in this field is still ongoing, the doctor will discuss realistic expectations for your form of arthritis.
When is the treatment not suitable?
With an active joint infection, a severe flare, pregnancy, cancer or blood clotting disorders, the procedure is not done — the doctor either postpones it or suggests an alternative.
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 pain comes because inflammation keeps stimulating the joint's pain receptors, at rest, at night and during movement. Treatment aimed at lowering inflammation — PRP and SVF included — can ease it.
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. A free review by a doctor of your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results will show whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis — send them to us.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Timely treatment is needed, because without it the disease can lead to permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
How PRP and SVF work in arthritis for Melbourne residents
PRP and SVF can help reduce inflammation and pain and support the tissues inside the joint. For patients from Melbourne with systemic disease, they complement, but do not replace, care from a rheumatologist.
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 Melbourne after the examination.
The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Melbourne, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation.
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use it, you agree to the Privacy Policy and data processing terms
Get a consultation
Apply before the end of the year and get a consultation at the clinic's expense!