Regenerative Arthritis Care in Port Elizabeth

Arthritis is a disease in which the joints become inflamed. Its typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting over 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Among the causes are autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, as well as infections, gout and psoriasis.

In inflammatory arthritis, rheumatoid included, PRP may help cut local inflammation, pain and swelling. Growth factors released by the platelets shape the immune response and support tissue repair. It is a complement to, not a substitute for, your rheumatologist's treatment.

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.

Cells contained in SVF may modulate the local immune response and support the repair of damaged tissue in the joint. Because research is ongoing, your doctor will go over realistic expectations for your particular type of arthritis.

It is not done during an active infection of the joint, a severe flare, pregnancy, cancer or blood clotting disorders; instead the doctor postpones the procedure or proposes another option.

Knee arthritis is an inflammation, driven by an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout, that shows as redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness to the touch. Osteoarthritis means worn cartilage and usually presents as aching pain and a dry crunch on movement.

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.

No — pregnancy is a contraindication to any joint injections, PRP and SVF among them. During pregnancy, arthritis treatment is decided only with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician together.

Yes. Just send X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results; a doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you whether regenerative treatment might suit your type of arthritis.

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.