City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7

PRP Therapy for Arthritis in Ruiru

PRP together with SVF cell therapy supports arthritis care in the knee, hand, shoulder and other joints; first comes a doctor's review of your case

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

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What it is

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.

  • 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

It is a doctor who decides, after examining you and going through your scans, whether the treatment suits you

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: skin inflammation over the target joint, or a fever, a cold or flu

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

How it works

How the procedure goes: step by step

Consultation and scan review1

Consultation and scan review

Your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed and the joint is examined, after which the doctor decides whether this procedure suits you. Already have scans? You can send them in advance.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount, later to be turned into platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

The doctor numbs the area with local anaesthetic and takes about 30 ml of adipose tissue through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh; stitches are not needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

Centrifuging the sample separates it into layers, after which the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed into the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The affected joint receives the prepared material by direct injection under ultrasound guidance, for precise placement.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No crutches and no hospital stay. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure and follows how the 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

We use only your own adipose tissue and blood, with no synthetic or donor material

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.

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

Inflammatory arthritis is one use for it, once the acute flare has settled — because it acts on local inflammation and tissue repair.

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

Your blood, in a small amount, provides plasma rich in platelets and growth factors; injected into the joint, it helps ease inflammation and creates better conditions for repair of the tissues.

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

It may be advised for rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis, always as just one part of the overall plan of treatment.

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

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

  • KneeKneePain on stairs or after walking, cartilage wear and meniscus problems
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain as you raise the arm, plus wear of the joint and the tendons around it
  • ElbowElbowPain after strain in sport or overuse, and worn surfaces inside the joint
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPain and stiffness affecting the small joints of the fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your natural joint rather than having it replaced: treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

We use only your own adipose tissue and blood, with no synthetic or donor material

No crutches

No crutches

Local anaesthetic, punctures rather than incisions, and no long rehabilitation

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

Not just the day of the injection: we stay in touch afterwards and follow how the result develops

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

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Choosing arthritis treatment in Ruiru

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

Follow-up visits help the doctor see how the joint responds and adjust the plan. In Ruiru, 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 Ruiru: the doctor reviews your case and suggests whether PRP or SVF makes sense now. The price is set individually.

Arthritis questions in Ruiru: a growing town and its joints

Ruiru is a municipality and sub-county in Kiambu County, within the greater Nairobi Metropolitan region. The 2019 national census counted 490,120 people, which made it the fourth-largest urban centre in Kenya. In 2009 the figure was 238,858, so the town roughly doubled in ten years. A population that grows this fast includes many working adults who are building careers and families and who cannot easily put up with a painful, stiff joint.

Arthritis is not one disease. It is a group of conditions in which the joints are affected by inflammation. People in Ruiru who start asking about it usually describe the same few things: pain that continues even at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness, and a joint that feels warm to the touch. If this pattern sounds familiar, it deserves a proper medical assessment and not a quick fix from a pharmacy shelf.

City Medical Centre works with patients in Ruiru through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send your first message after work or late in the evening and not have to rearrange your day. The aim of the first conversation is simple: to understand your symptoms, your history and the stage of the problem, and to explain which options are realistic for you.

Why a joint that is inflamed needs a clear diagnosis first

The medical picture of arthritis is broader than most people expect. Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Each of these needs a different approach, and a treatment plan that suits one cause can be pointless for another. This is why a conversation about any regenerative option always starts with the diagnosis and not with the technique.

For a resident of Ruiru this has a practical meaning. Take the time to collect what you already have: earlier blood test results, imaging reports, notes from a local doctor, and a list of the medicines you take now. A clear timeline helps a lot. Write down when the pain began, whether it is worse at night, how long the morning stiffness lasts, and whether the joint has ever been red, swollen or warm.

During the online consultation the specialist reviews this material with you and says what is still missing. Sometimes the answer is that further tests should be done locally before any decision. That is a normal and responsible outcome, and it is better than starting something without a firm diagnosis.

What SVF therapy is and where it fits

SVF therapy uses your own adipose tissue. 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. The material is then processed and used as part of the treatment plan. Because it comes from you, the procedure is built around your own tissue and not around a ready-made product.

The medical facts we work with are specific about timing. 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. We say this plainly in every consultation, because a patient in Ruiru deserves to know whether the method is appropriate for their stage before making any plans.

This is also the reason to ask early. A person who has put up with night pain for a long time because of a busy work schedule may find that the window for a gentler approach has narrowed. Sending a message to the coordinators costs nothing and does not commit you to anything.

Work, study and the pace of life in Ruiru

Ruiru is an industrial town. Its economy includes factories such as Devki Steel Mills, Super Foam Limited, Spinners & Spinners Garment Factory, Ruiru Mabati Factory and Ruiru Feeds Limited, and the Tatu City Industrial Park hosts many more businesses. Banks and shopping malls serve the town, and several banks have branches in the Kamakis area. Many jobs here involve standing for long hours, repeated hand movements, lifting, or long periods at a desk.

Each of these has a different effect on inflamed joints. Someone on a factory floor may feel the knees and hips most, while an office worker or a person in the growing information and communication technology sector may notice stiff hands and wrists after hours at a keyboard. When you speak to the specialist, describe your actual working day in detail. It affects both the plan and the advice on when to schedule the procedure.

Planning matters more than speed. If you work in shifts, ask the coordinators to arrange the online consultation at a time that suits you; they are available around the clock. Talk with your employer in advance if you expect to need a few lighter days after the procedure, and ask the surgeon what kind of activity is reasonable for your specific job.

Students, families and everyday life

Ruiru has a strong education profile. Zetech University and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology have their main campuses here, Kenyatta University has campuses near the municipality, and the University of Nairobi and other institutions have campuses in or near Ruiru. The Amref International University is planned within the municipality's southern wing. Joint pain is not only an older person's problem; autoimmune forms can appear in younger adults, including students and young staff.

If you are a student, plan around the academic calendar and exams. Joint inflammation makes it hard to sit through long lectures, to carry a bag, or to walk between buildings. Be honest in the consultation about how much the symptoms limit you. Family members often help with the decision, so it can be useful to invite a relative to join the online call.

For parents and grandparents in Ruiru, the questions are different: lifting children, climbing stairs at home, and standing to cook for the family. These everyday tasks are a good way to describe the severity of arthritis to a doctor. Concrete examples, such as how long you can stand or whether stairs are difficult, are more useful than a general statement that the joint hurts.

Season, weather and recovery planning

After the adipose tissue collection, the puncture site on the abdomen or inner thigh is small and needs no stitches, but it still needs sensible care. General advice applies in any season: keep the area clean and dry, avoid rubbing it with tight or rough clothing, and follow the dressing instructions you receive. Ask the surgeon before using a swimming pool, the sea or hot baths, and before returning to sport, and follow the exact guidance given to you.

Weather affects comfort. On warm, sunny days, loose cotton clothing and shade protect the puncture site and keep you cooler; prolonged sun exposure on the area should be avoided. In rainy periods, Ruiru's black cotton soil, which the name of the town may be linked to, can make paths muddy and slippery. A person with a painful hip or knee should be especially careful about footing, so plan short and safe movements near home.

Dust and humidity are worth considering too. Keep the dressing protected during dusty days and change it if it becomes damp or dirty. If you are given compression garments, ask how to wash and wear them in your climate. The best season for the procedure is the one in which you can rest, avoid heavy work and have help at home. Discuss your calendar with the coordinators first.

Return to work, sport and daily activity

Do not expect a standard answer that fits everyone. Recovery depends on the stage of arthritis, the joint involved, your general health and the type of work you do. The surgeon will give you personal advice during the online consultation and afterwards. Treat that advice as the rule, and avoid comparing yourself with a neighbour or colleague who had something similar.

For a desk job or study, a return to routine tasks is usually discussed in terms of comfort at the puncture site and the state of the affected joint. For work in industry, with lifting or long standing, ask specifically what should be avoided and for how long. For sport, from a football match with friends to a walk in the evening, the question is about gradual loading, and about stopping when the joint becomes swollen, hot or more painful.

Results from therapies based on your own tissue do not appear overnight, and no honest doctor will tell you otherwise. Ask what you should expect to notice and when, which symptoms are normal, and which ones mean you should contact the coordinators at once. Keep a simple diary of pain, stiffness on waking and swelling, so the specialist can follow the changes.

Food, family events and healthy weight

Food culture and family gatherings are part of life in Ruiru, as in any growing town where new housing estates are replacing coffee estates and neighbours meet often. Big shared meals, celebrations and weekend events are a fine thing, but they can be physically tiring for someone with painful joints. Plan rest before and after, and do not let a social calendar crowd out your recovery period.

Body weight matters for the joints, particularly the hips and knees, which carry the load of every step. The World Health Organization treats excess weight as a significant health concern, and doctors often raise it in a conversation about arthritis. Ask the specialist how it applies to your case. The advice is usually practical: regular gentle movement, balanced meals, and attention to portion size, without extreme diets that leave you weak.

Gout, one of the possible causes of arthritis, is the one condition where diet and drinks are often discussed in detail. If gout is suspected, tell the doctor about your usual meals and about alcohol. Honest answers help to choose the right tests and the right treatment plan, and they do not bring any judgement.

How the online consultation from Ruiru works

The process is straightforward. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they are available 24/7. You describe your symptoms and send existing documents: tests, imaging, doctor's notes and a medicine list. The coordinators arrange an online consultation with a specialist, which is free, and which you can join from home in Ruiru with a phone or a computer.

In the consultation, the specialist asks about the pain, stiffness on waking, swelling, redness and warmth in the joint, then looks at the stage and the likely cause. You will hear whether an approach such as SVF therapy may be considered or whether another route, including surgery at a later stage, is more appropriate. You can ask any questions and take the time you need to decide.

Prepare a short list in advance. Useful questions include: What is the most likely cause of my arthritis? At what stage is my joint? Am I a suitable candidate for SVF therapy? Which conditions or infections would make it unsuitable? What will the collection procedure feel like under local anaesthetic? What care do I need at home, and when should I report a problem? These questions make the conversation efficient and leave you with a clear plan.

Is the first consultation really free for patients in Ruiru?

Yes. The online consultation is free. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram from Ruiru, send your documents, and a specialist reviews them with you online.

When can I contact the coordinators?

At any time. Coordinators are available around the clock, 24/7, so you can write after a shift, in the evening or at the weekend and get an answer without adjusting your schedule.

What symptoms suggest arthritis and not simple tiredness?

Typical signs are pain even at rest and at night, stiffness on waking that lasts more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and a warm joint. Only a specialist can confirm the diagnosis, so describe the symptoms in detail during the consultation.

What can cause arthritis?

Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Because the cause changes the treatment, the diagnosis comes before any decision about a method.

What does the SVF procedure involve?

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. The tissue is then processed and used in the treatment plan.

Is SVF therapy suitable at any stage of arthritis?

No. At early stages (1–2), it 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. The specialist will tell you honestly which situation applies to you.

Can I continue to work in Ruiru during treatment planning?

Often yes, but it depends on your job and the joint affected. Describe your tasks, such as standing, lifting or desk work, and the surgeon will advise on timing and on what to avoid after the procedure.

What should I avoid after the collection?

Follow the written instructions you receive. In general, keep the puncture site clean and dry, avoid tight rubbing clothing and strong sun on the area, and ask before using a pool, the sea or returning to sport.

What should I send before the online consultation?

Send earlier blood tests, imaging reports, notes from your local doctor and a list of current medicines. Add a short timeline of when the pain began and how it changes through the day.