City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

PRP Therapy for Arthritis in Richards Bay

SVF cell therapy and PRP for the knee, hand, shoulder and other joints, used within arthritis care once a doctor has reviewed your tests and case

Knee joint: regenerative treatment without surgery
Joint treatment without surgery. Free consultation and review of your scans

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

What it is

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.

  • No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
  • Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
  • Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Knee joint: an injection under ultrasound guidance

Who the treatment suits

Whether this treatment fits you is a doctor's decision, made after an examination and a scan review

Suitable

A doctor reviews knee X-rays with a patient
  • Pain, crunching or stiffness in a joint
  • Painkillers only help for a short time
  • Recovery after injuries and surgery
  • You need a second opinion on your scans
  • You want to avoid or postpone joint replacement
  • Early or moderate arthrosis or arthritis
  • High load on the joints — sport or physical work

Not suitable

A doctor examines a patient's knee
  • Cancer
  • Pregnancy
  • Blood clotting disorders
  • Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
  • Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
  • Temporary contraindications: a cold, flu or fever, or skin inflammation over the joint to be treated

Not sure the treatment is right for you?

Leave your number — the coordinator will ask for your scans (X-ray, MRI or ultrasound), and the doctor will tell you whether treatment without surgery suits you.

Find out if it suits me

What we treat

Conditions we treat

How it works

How the procedure goes: step by step

Consultation and scan review1

Consultation and scan review

First comes an examination of the joint and a look at your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound; then the doctor decides whether the procedure fits your case. Existing scans can be sent before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen, and under local anaesthetic, about 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken. Stitches are not needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

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.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely as the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No crutches, no hospital stay — and after the procedure the doctor stays in touch to follow how your joint responds.

Book a consultation

Call or message us — our coordinator will contact you shortly and book your consultation

A doctor talks with a patient about joint treatment
Book a consultation
A doctor talks with a patient about joint treatment

Results

After the procedure

  • Doctor talking warmly with a patient after the procedure

    1 week

    The joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction.

  • Doctor consulting an older patient one month after treatment

    1 month

    The pain usually eases.

  • Doctor explaining progress to a patient using a knee joint model

    ~3 months

    Mobility and activity improve.

  • Doctor and patient walking together at a follow-up visit

    ~6 months

    The full effect develops.

How long it lasts differs from person to person and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — no one can promise a fixed result.

Comparison

Methods we use

Your own adipose tissue and blood are the only materials used, never donor or synthetic ones

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

The affected joint receives an injection of the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a set of cells involved in tissue repair, isolated from a small sample of your adipose tissue — combined with your own plasma.

A doctor explains SVF cell therapy for the knee to a patient on a tablet

Its effect on local inflammation and tissue repair is why it is used in inflammatory arthritis, after the acute flare has settled.

Material
Your adipose tissue and plasma
How it is given
Into the joint, under ultrasound
Duration
The whole procedure is done in one day.

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.

A doctor explains PRP therapy for joints to a patient on a monitor

It may form one part of the overall treatment plan in rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis.

Material
Your blood from a vein
How it is given
Into the joint, under ultrasound
Duration
The whole procedure is done in one day.

The benefits and timings shown are averaged and given for guidance: the plan and recovery depend on your joint and individual features, and the doctor confirms them at the consultation.

At the consultation the doctor will review your scans and suggest a treatment plan

Free consultation

Book a consultation

Joints

Joints we treat

After going through your scans, the doctor selects the joint, the method and the number of injections — whether the joint is large or small

  • KneeKneeMeniscus problems, cartilage wear, and pain on the stairs and after walking
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when lifting the arm, and wear affecting the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowOveruse or sports-strain pain and wearing of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsFinger and wrist small joints that are stiff and painful
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Your own joint stays: we work on keeping it rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Your own adipose tissue and blood are the only materials used, never donor or synthetic ones

No crutches

No crutches

Under local anaesthetic, through punctures instead of incisions, with no long rehabilitation afterwards

Second opinion

Second opinion

For a free, independent doctor's assessment, send us your X-rays, MRI or reports

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We remain in contact after the procedure and follow the result, well beyond the injection day

About the clinic

A clinic where you can feel at ease

Modern equipment, comfortable rooms and care for every patient

A doctor and a patient at the clinic

Contact us the way that suits you

We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation

Request a free call

Price

Arthritis treatment prices

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

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Arthritis in Richards Bay: types, methods and price

PRP and SVF can help reduce inflammation and pain and support the tissues inside the joint. For patients from Richards Bay with systemic disease, they complement, but do not replace, care from a rheumatologist.

Treatment starts with a consultation and a review of your scans and tests. Then blood and a small adipose tissue sample are taken, processed in a centrifuge and injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. For patients from Richards Bay, it is done in one day.

The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Richards Bay, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation.

Richards Bay and the question of joint health

Richards Bay is a city in KwaZulu-Natal built around a 30-square-kilometre lagoon of the Mhlatuze River. It has one of the country's largest harbours and the deepest natural harbour on the African continent. The city has about 252,968 inhabitants. It is a working port city where many people spend long days on their feet, in industry, logistics, offices or on the road. When joints begin to hurt, this shows up quickly in daily routine, and people from Richards Bay often ask about arthritis treatment only once pain begins to interfere with work.

Arthritis is not a single disease. It is inflammation of the joints, and its causes differ: autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. That is why the first step is always to find out what is behind the symptoms, and only then to choose the treatment. The City Medical Centre online consultation lets you start this conversation from home in Richards Bay, with no need to rearrange your week around a long wait.

This text is general information. It does not replace an examination, and the final plan is always made by the treating doctor after reviewing your tests and images.

Symptoms worth discussing with a doctor

Inflammatory joint disease has a typical picture. Pain is present even at rest and at night, which separates it from the ache that comes after a hard day and fades with sleep. Stiffness on waking lasts more than 30 minutes. The joint may swell, turn red and feel warm to the touch. If you recognise several of these signs, it is reasonable to ask for a specialist opinion rather than wait for the problem to pass.

In a city where the population is young, with a large share of residents under the age of 34, people often put off the question, assuming that arthritis is a condition of old age. Inflammatory joint disease can begin earlier, and early assessment changes which options remain open. A note of when the pain appears, how long morning stiffness lasts and which joints are involved is very useful for the first consultation.

Our coordinators are available around the clock on Telegram and Telegram. You can send photographs of a swollen joint, earlier test results and a short description, so that the doctor arrives at the online consultation with a clear picture.

Climate in Richards Bay and how it affects joints and recovery

Richards Bay lies in a transitional zone between a humid subtropical climate inland and a tropical savanna climate along the shore. Summers are warm and wet, winters are mild and frost-free. Average annual rainfall is 1228 millimetres and the average annual temperature is 21.5 °C. Daytime maxima reach about 29 °C from January to March, while from June to August daytime highs are about 23 °C with nights down to 12 °C.

Many people with arthritis notice that damp and cool mornings make stiffness more noticeable, while others feel worse in the heat of summer when swelling increases. These are personal observations, not rules, but they are worth recording in a symptom diary and showing to the doctor. Humidity on the coast also affects comfort when wearing supportive garments or bandages, so breathable fabrics are a sensible choice.

After any procedure that involves a small puncture, the skin should be kept clean and dry. In the humid months, change dressings as instructed, avoid prolonged direct sun on the treated area and drink enough water. Dust and wind near the coast are another reason to keep the puncture area covered until the doctor says otherwise.

Everyday life in the port city and planning treatment

Richards Bay's economy rests on the port, coal and mineral exports, aluminium smelting, a fertiliser plant, paper pulp and wood chips, along with tourism as a gateway to Zululand and its game parks. Many residents work shifts, in physical jobs or in roles that require long driving. Each of these has a different effect on a painful joint, and the plan for treatment and rest should reflect the actual job, not a general template.

The John Ross Parkway links the city with Empangeni and the main highway, and a lot of people commute along it. Long periods of sitting in a car can stiffen hips and knees, so it is worth discussing with the doctor how to arrange the first days after a procedure: who drives, when to take breaks, and how to avoid sitting still for hours.

Family life matters too. Weekend braais, gatherings in the suburbs and school events involve standing, carrying and walking. Plan the treatment for a period when you can reduce these demands and ask relatives for help. This is easier to arrange when the consultation takes place online and you already know what to expect.

What the procedure involves, in plain terms

The medical description of this approach is simple. 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. This tissue is then used as the starting material for the therapy that the doctor has selected for your case.

For some patients, the question is about the hip. At early stages (1–2), SVF therapy may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement. At later stages surgery is usually required. This distinction is the key point to understand: the stage of the joint determines what is realistic, and an honest doctor will tell you if your joint is already past the stage where this approach makes sense.

Nobody can promise a particular outcome. The result depends on the cause of the arthritis, the condition of the joint and how consistently you follow the recommendations. The purpose of the consultation is to establish whether you are a reasonable candidate at all.

Who may be a candidate and who may not

In general terms, the approach is considered for people whose joint damage has not yet progressed to the stage where only surgery helps, and whose symptoms have been properly assessed. Imaging and laboratory tests usually decide this. Someone with an active infection, an untreated autoimmune flare, a serious uncontrolled illness or a skin problem at the puncture area would normally need to resolve that first.

Body weight also deserves an honest conversation. Obesity and overweight are recognised as a major health issue, and extra load on hips and knees is a factor that doctors take into account when planning care. This is not a criticism. It is simply one of the elements to be reviewed together with diet, activity and other treatment.

Tell the doctor about every medicine you take, including anti-inflammatory tablets, immune-suppressing drugs and blood thinners, as well as any allergies and past reactions to anaesthetic. Bring earlier X-rays or scans if you have them, because they save time and help avoid repeated tests.

Season, work, sport and getting back to routine

Because winters in Richards Bay are mild and frost-free, there is no strictly wrong season. The more practical question is when your workload and family calendar allow a calm first stretch of recovery. Many people prefer a quieter work period, while others choose the cooler months from June to August because wearing garments and covering dressings is more comfortable than in the humid heat of January to March.

Return to work depends on the job. Desk work and driving are usually easier to resume than heavy labour at the port, in the smelters or on industrial grounds. Discuss your exact duties with the doctor and ask for a written outline of what to avoid, for how long and which signs mean you should write to the coordinators straight away.

Richards Bay is known for kitesurfing in the steady north-easterly winds, and many residents walk, swim or play sport in their spare time. Ask the surgeon when you can go back to each activity, including swimming in the sea or a pool, because open water and wounds do not mix until the puncture area has healed. Resume sport gradually and stop if pain or swelling returns.

How the remote consultation works from Richards Bay

You do not need to leave the city to start. Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they work 24/7. They will ask for a short history, your main symptoms and any documents you have. The online consultation is free, and the doctor reviews your material before the call so that the time is spent on decisions, not on repeating basic facts.

During the conversation you can ask about the cause of your arthritis, the stage of the joint, whether SVF therapy is relevant or whether another path is more sensible, and what the next tests should be. If the doctor concludes that this approach is not suitable, you will hear that directly.

Prepare questions in advance. Useful ones include: which stage is my joint at, what exactly is taken and from where, what anaesthesia is used, what restrictions apply afterwards, how will progress be measured, and what is the plan if there is no improvement. Write the answers down and share them with your local family doctor so that your care stays coordinated.

Is the online consultation really free for patients in Richards Bay?

Yes. The first online consultation is free. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, send your documents and the doctor discusses your case by video or message.

How do I know if my joint pain is arthritis?

Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and a warm joint. Only a doctor can confirm the diagnosis after examination and tests, so use these signs as a reason to seek advice.

What can cause arthritis?

Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Identifying the cause is the first step, because the treatment differs depending on it.

What is taken from the body during the procedure?

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.

Is this approach suitable for every stage of the disease?

No. At early stages (1–2), SVF therapy may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement. At later stages surgery is usually required.

Does the humid coastal weather matter during recovery?

It can affect comfort. Richards Bay has warm wet summers and mild winters, so choose breathable fabrics, keep the puncture area clean and dry, protect it from strong sun and dust, and follow the doctor's instructions on dressings.

When can I go back to work and sport?

This depends on your job and on how you feel. Office work and driving usually resume sooner than heavy physical labour. Ask the doctor for a clear plan for each activity, including swimming and kitesurfing, and increase the load gradually.

Who should not go ahead with the procedure?

People with an active infection, an untreated autoimmune flare, skin problems at the puncture area or a serious uncontrolled illness would normally need to deal with these first. The doctor decides this individually after reviewing your records.

What should I send to the coordinators before the call?

Send a short description of your symptoms, a list of current medicines and allergies, earlier X-rays, scans and blood test results, and photographs of swollen joints if relevant. The more complete the material, the more useful the consultation.