Arthritis in Onitsha: When This Treatment Fits
For arthritis in the knee, hand, shoulder or another joint, PRP and SVF cell therapy form one part of care — starting with a doctor's review of your 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?
Arthritis is the name for joint inflammation. Pain that comes at rest and at night, morning stiffness that persists beyond half an hour, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint are the classic signs. Causes vary, from autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis to gout, infection or an old injury.
Used well, PRP and SVF may ease pain and inflammation and support the joint's internal tissues; still, a systemic disease needs a rheumatologist, and the injections do not replace that care. No procedure takes place during an active joint infection or a severe flare — the type of arthritis is confirmed and the moment chosen first.
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
Pain after overuse or sports strain, wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Small joints of the fingers and wrist that stiffen and hurt
Knee
Cartilage that has worn, meniscus trouble, pain after walks and on stairs
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain lifting the arm, with wear of the joint and its surrounding tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
Processing a small sample of adipose tissue from your body isolates the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — cells that play a part in tissue repair. This is combined with your plasma and injected straight into the affected joint.
In inflammatory arthritis it is used for its effect on local inflammation and tissue repair, once the acute flare has settled.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
A small amount of your blood is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which is then injected into the joint. It helps settle inflammation and gives tissue repair better conditions.
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
The doctor checks the joint, goes through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if the procedure suits you. If you have scans already, feel free to send them before you come.
Blood sample for PRP
A small blood sample is taken from a vein. Later, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from this blood.
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
Once the centrifuge has spun the sample into layers, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Direct injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance helps the prepared material land exactly where it is needed.
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 checks the joint, goes through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if the procedure suits you. If you have scans already, feel free to send them before you come.
Blood sample for PRP
A small blood sample is taken from a vein. Later, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from this blood.
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
Once the centrifuge has spun the sample into layers, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Direct injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance helps the prepared material land exactly where it is needed.
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
Follow-up visits let the doctor see how the joint responds and adjust the plan — pain usually eases over the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
Conditions we treat
Your scans are reviewed and you are examined before 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: 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
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
Keeping your natural joint rather than having it replaced: treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Everything used comes from you — your blood and adipose tissue — with no synthetic or donor material
No crutches
Small punctures, not incisions, a local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation
Second opinion
Share your X-rays, MRI or reports and get a doctor's independent assessment at no cost
Support after the procedure
After the injection day we stay in touch and keep following the result
Arthritis treatment prices
You learn the cost from the doctor after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the type of arthritis
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?
The joints are inflamed in arthritis, which usually means pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting beyond 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth. Autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis are among the causes.
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?
Regenerative injections can be one part of the plan for psoriatic arthritis — a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely, where the aim is long remission, controlled inflammation and no joint deformity.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
The cells SVF contains can modulate local immunity and support repair of damaged tissue inside the joint. With research in this area ongoing, your doctor will discuss what is realistic to expect for your type of arthritis.
When is the treatment not suitable?
If you have an active joint infection, a severe flare, cancer or a blood clotting disorder, or are pregnant, the procedure is not done; the doctor postpones it or offers another option.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
Inflammation from an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout is knee arthritis — redness, warmth, marked swelling and a knee tender to touch. Cartilage wear is osteoarthritis, which usually shows as aching pain and a dry crunch when moving.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
Inflammation never stops stimulating the pain receptors of the joint, whether you move, rest or sleep at night. Treatment that targets inflammation, including PRP and SVF, can help ease this pain.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No. Pregnancy is a contraindication to joint injections, including PRP and SVF. Arthritis treatment during pregnancy is decided only together with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. Your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results are reviewed by a doctor free of charge, and you will hear whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Left untreated, it can cause permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys. Timely treatment is needed to prevent these complications.
Other services at our clinic
Arthritis in Onitsha: from diagnosis to follow-up
Knee arthritis differs from knee osteoarthritis. Arthritis shows redness, warmth, swelling and tenderness to touch; osteoarthritis shows a dry crunch and aching pain on movement. For patients from Onitsha, the diagnosis comes first.
Follow-up visits help the doctor see how the joint responds and adjust the plan. In Onitsha, you receive recommendations on load and activity for the first weeks after the procedure.
Joint inflammation that does not settle? Book a free consultation in Onitsha: the doctor reviews your case and suggests whether PRP or SVF makes sense now. The price is set individually.
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