City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicDaily 10:00–18:00

PRP Therapy for Arthritis in Pietermaritzburg

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

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01

No surgery — an injection instead of an operation

02

Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue

03

Ultrasound guidance for every injection

04

Free consultation
and review of your scans

What is arthritis
and when does this treatment fit?

Put simply, arthritis is joint inflammation. The joint may hurt at rest and at night, feel stiff each morning for more than half an hour, swell, redden and feel warm. Causes include autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, as well as gout, infection or an old injury.

These injections — PRP and SVF — can reduce pain and inflammation and support tissue inside the joint, but a systemic disease stays under a rheumatologist's care. During an active infection of the joint or a severe flare the procedure is not done: the doctor first confirms the arthritis type and chooses when to act.

01

No surgery — an injection instead of an operation

02

Ultrasound guidance for every injection

03

Free consultation and review of your scans

Joints we treat

Large or small joints: once your scans are reviewed, the doctor picks the joint, the method and the number of injections

Stockholm-icons / Navigation / Angle-leftCreated with Sketch.
Stockholm-icons / Navigation / Angle-rightCreated with Sketch.

Methods we use

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

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.

It is used in inflammatory arthritis — once the acute flare is over — for its influence on local inflammation and the repair of tissue.

PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood

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.

As a single element of the wider plan, it can be advised in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis.

How the procedure goes: step by step

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 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 is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed 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

You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact after the procedure and watches the joint's response.

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Stockholm-icons / Navigation / Angle-rightCreated with Sketch.

Follow-up visits

After 1 month
3 months
6 months

Follow-up appointments show the doctor how the joint is responding so the plan can be adjusted. Most often pain eases during the first month, mobility gets better over about three months and the full effect arrives over around six months.

Conditions we treat

Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of your scans

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 raised temperature (fever), a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint to be treated

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

After the procedure

Most patients go home on the same day and are back to normal daily activity within a day or two; small dressings cover the puncture sites. In the first week the joint may ache slightly more — an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts varies from person to person, depending on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — nobody can promise a fixed result. If a rheumatologist is treating you, do not stop your prescribed medication without talking to them.

  1. 1 week
  2. 1 month
  3. ~3 months
  4. ~6 months

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We try to keep the joint you have rather than replace it — with 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

Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

Support after the procedure

Our contact does not end on the day of the injection — we stay in touch and follow the result

Arthritis treatment prices

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

Service

Price

Consultation and review of your scans

Free

PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma)


Price at consultation

Cell therapy (SVF + PRP), one joint

 

Price at consultation

 

 

Consultation and review of your scans

Free

PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma)

 

Price at consultation

Cell therapy (SVF + PRP), one joint

 

Price at consultation

 

 

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

Message our coordinator

We reply right in the chat — you can send photos

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

Arthritis in Pietermaritzburg: from diagnosis to follow-up

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 Pietermaritzburg.

Most patients in Pietermaritzburg 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 Pietermaritzburg, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.

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