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Arthritis Treatment in Rustenburg with PRP and SVF

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

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?

Arthritis is inflammation of a joint. Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness that lasts longer than half an hour, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The causes vary: autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, 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

After an examination and a look at your scans, a doctor decides if the treatment is right for 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: a fever, cold or flu, or any skin inflammation over the joint planned for treatment

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

The doctor decides on the procedure only after examining the joint and reviewing your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. You are welcome to send any scans you have before the appointment.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

The doctor draws a small amount of blood from a vein, which later becomes platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, local anaesthetic and about 30 ml of adipose tissue taken — the site needs no stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The sample goes into a centrifuge and separates into layers; next, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Direct injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance helps the prepared material land exactly where it is needed.

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 stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a blend of cells involved in repairing tissue — is isolated by processing a small sample of your adipose tissue. Mixed with your own plasma, it goes into the affected joint by injection.

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

After the acute flare settles, inflammatory arthritis can be treated with it for its action on tissue repair and local inflammation.

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 recommended for rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis as one part of the overall treatment plan.

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

Large and small joints are treated, with the doctor choosing the joint, method and number of injections based on your scans

  • KneeKneeWorn cartilage, meniscus issues and pain climbing stairs or after a walk
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain brought on by overuse or sporting strain, with wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPainful, stiff small joints of the wrist and fingers
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We aim to preserve your own joint instead of 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

Small punctures, not incisions, a local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Your X-rays, MRI or reports can be sent for an independent assessment by a doctor, free of charge

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We follow your result and stay in touch after the procedure, not just on 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 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

Other services of our clinic

About arthritis treatment for patients from Rustenburg

Regenerative injections are not done during an active joint infection or a severe flare. In Rustenburg, the doctor chooses the right moment, usually once the acute inflammation has settled.

An arthritic joint hurts even at rest because inflammation keeps stimulating pain receptors. For patients from Rustenburg, treatment aimed at reducing that inflammation can ease pain at rest and at night.

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

Arthritis and everyday life in Rustenburg

Rustenburg lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It is the most populous city in North West province, with 562 031 residents in the 2022 South African National Census. For people here, joint pain is rarely an abstract medical topic. It shows up on the way to a shift, on the steps of a bus, at a family gathering, or during a weekend game of football or golf. Many patients tell the coordinators that they first noticed stiffness in the hands or knees and assumed it would pass.

Arthritis means that the joints are affected by inflammation. 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. Ordinary wear after a hard day usually eases with rest. Inflammatory pain tends to do the opposite: it is often worst after rest and can wake a person from sleep. If this pattern sounds familiar, it deserves a proper assessment instead of months of painkillers bought at a pharmacy.

City Medical Centre works with residents of Rustenburg through a free online consultation. You do not need to prepare anything beyond a short description of your symptoms and any scans or blood test results you already have. The coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so a message sent after a late shift or on a Sunday evening will still be answered.

Causes behind joint inflammation and why the diagnosis matters

Arthritis is not a single disease. Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Each needs a different approach, which is why the first conversation with a doctor is about the cause and not about a procedure. A person in Rustenburg with swelling in the small joints of both hands on waking has a different story from someone with a single hot, red big toe after a heavy family meal, and both differ from someone with a long-standing psoriasis patch and a sore knee.

Laboratory tests, imaging and a careful history separate these situations. During the remote consultation the doctor will ask when the pain began, whether it is worse at night, how long the morning stiffness lasts, whether other joints are involved, and whether there is skin disease, a recent infection or a family history of autoimmune illness. Bring whatever you have: X-ray images, ultrasound reports, earlier blood results and a list of the medicines you take.

It helps to be honest about what has already been tried. Many patients have used anti-inflammatory tablets for a long time before asking for a second opinion. Telling the doctor exactly what you took and how it helped makes the discussion about the next step far more useful.

SVF therapy and its place in the discussion

One option the doctors may discuss is SVF therapy. 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 so that the cell fraction can be used in the treatment plan. The method is meant to support the tissue, not to replace the diagnosis or the basic treatment of the underlying disease.

The stage of the disease decides whether it is reasonable at all. 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. A doctor who tells you this plainly is doing you a service: the decision depends on imaging and examination, not on how strongly you wish for a non-surgical path.

For a resident of Rustenburg the practical question is often whether the problem is early enough. The online consultation helps to clarify exactly that. Send your images, describe where and when it hurts, and the doctor will say whether the method is worth discussing, whether more tests are needed first, or whether another type of treatment is more appropriate. No outcome can be promised in advance, and a responsible specialist will not promise one.

Climate in Rustenburg and its effect on joints and recovery

Rustenburg has a humid subtropical climate with a relatively large daily temperature swing because of its elevation. Summers, from December to February, are very warm, though the altitude keeps them from being as hot as many expect. Rain falls mainly in summer. Winters, from June to August, are mild, with occasional frost at night. The contrast between warm afternoons and cool early mornings matters for people with arthritis, because many notice that stiffness is worse in the cold hours after waking.

In winter, joints often feel tighter at dawn. Layered clothing, warm socks and gloves, and a few gentle movements in bed before standing can make the first steps of the day easier. The doctor can advise what suits your diagnosis. In summer, the practical points after a small procedure such as the tissue collection are to keep the puncture area clean and dry, avoid prolonged direct sun on it, and wear loose, breathable clothing instead of tight garments that rub.

Summer rain and humidity can make it tempting to skip walks. Short, regular, comfortable movement is generally better for stiff joints than long rest, but the exact amount depends on your condition, so agree it with the doctor instead of guessing. Dust and heat on a long day outdoors can tire a person who is already in pain, so plan rest and water into the day.

Work, mining and physical demands

Rustenburg is known as a leading platinum producing area, with 41 platinum mines in the district. Mining makes up about half of the local economy, and finance and retail follow by a considerable margin. Many people who contact the coordinators therefore have jobs that involve kneeling, lifting, climbing, vibration or long shifts on their feet. Others work in shops, offices and transport and sit for long hours, which stiffens the hips and knees in a different way.

Heavy manual work and inflammatory arthritis do not mix well. Before planning any procedure, talk with your employer or occupational health contact about the duties you can take on afterwards. Ask the doctor directly: when can I return to a desk job, and when to physically demanding work? The answer for a person who drives or sits all day differs from the answer for someone who spends the shift underground or at a workshop bench.

If you work shifts, tell the coordinators your schedule. Because the consultation is online and the coordinators answer 24/7, it can be arranged around night shifts and rest days. If time off work is hard to organise, say so early, so that the plan is realistic and not built on an ideal week that does not exist.

Sport, family events and food culture

Sport is part of life here. Rustenburg hosted matches of the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the 42,000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium, and Olympia Park hosted games of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The city has a strong judo club, a skydiving club, two swimming clubs, a cricket club and a golf club in the middle of the city, with nearby Sun City hosting a major golf event. People who play or coach in these settings often ask when they can return, and arthritis is a frequent reason they stop.

Swimming is usually kinder to inflamed joints than impact sport, but after a small puncture procedure the doctor will give specific rules about pools and water. Follow them exactly and do not return to football, judo or a round of golf just because the day feels good. Contact sport and jumping load the joints in ways that need clearance first. Ask which activities are appropriate in the early weeks and when each can be added back.

Family gatherings, braais and celebrations are central to social life, and food matters for some forms of arthritis. In gout, for example, diet and alcohol can influence flare-ups, and the doctor may discuss this. Body weight also adds load to the hips and knees; the WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight gives general background on why weight is a health topic. This is a conversation to have without embarrassment, and the aim is practical advice, not blame.

Choosing a season and planning the procedure

There is no single correct month, but the local climate gives useful guidance. The mild winter months, June to August, are comfortable for wearing layers and protecting the treated area from sun, although cold mornings can increase stiffness and occasional night frost makes early outings less pleasant. The hot summer months, December to February, bring heat and rain, which can make long outdoor days tiring during the first stage of recovery.

Think also about the calendar of your life: school holidays, year-end celebrations, a heavy period at work, a family event you do not want to miss. A quiet window with a few days of genuine rest is more valuable than a perfect weather forecast. If your diagnosis is at an early stage, the doctor may prefer not to delay, because the point of early therapy is precisely that the stage is early.

Practical preparation is simple. Arrange someone to help at home for the first days, keep comfortable loose clothes ready, plan transport that does not require long walks or crowded standing, and note down all your questions beforehand. The city is investing in public transport, including bus rapid transit lanes and stations, which may ease getting around over time, but do not rely on future routes for a specific plan.

Questions to ask the doctor, candidates and contraindications

Good questions are concrete. What is the exact diagnosis and the likely cause? At what stage is my joint? Is SVF therapy reasonable for me or is it too late? What would the doctor recommend if it is not? What does the tissue collection involve, and which area would be used, the abdomen or the inner thigh? What should I avoid afterwards, and what should I do if the joint becomes hot, red or more swollen? Who do I contact at night if I am worried?

In general terms, people with early-stage joint disease and clear imaging are those for whom the discussion is most meaningful. Active infection, an unexplained fever, an uncontrolled autoimmune flare, bleeding disorders, certain blood-thinning medicines, pregnancy and some chronic illnesses may make a procedure unsuitable or require postponement. Tell the doctor about every medicine and supplement, and about any allergy to local anaesthetic.

If the joint is already at a late stage, the honest answer may be that surgery is usually required, and the doctor will say so. That is not a failure of the consultation; it saves time and avoids a treatment unlikely to help. In every case the final decision is made together with a doctor who has seen your tests.

How the remote consultation works from Rustenburg

The first step is a message to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram. They are available around the clock (24/7), so there is no need to wait for a particular day. Describe your symptoms briefly, mention how long they have lasted, and attach what you have: images, reports, test results. Photographs of a swollen or red joint can also help the doctor, especially if the joint changes during the day.

The online consultation is free. The doctor reviews the material, asks follow-up questions and explains the diagnosis, the stage and which options are reasonable. You can ask anything you like and take time to think afterwards. There is no obligation to proceed. If you need an examination or blood tests locally first, the doctor will say which ones, and you can arrange them in the usual way in your own city.

Rustenburg is a large, growing city with many people balancing work, study and family while living with pain. The consultation is built for that reality: you stay at home, speak in your own time and decide calmly.

How do I know whether my joint pain is arthritis?

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 doctor can confirm the diagnosis, so describe your symptoms in the online consultation and attach any tests you already have.

What can cause arthritis?

Possible causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Finding the cause is the first step, because the treatment differs between them.

Is the online consultation really free for residents of Rustenburg?

Yes. The consultation is free, and the coordinators answer on Telegram and Telegram around the clock (24/7). You can send images and reports from home.

What is SVF therapy and how is the tissue taken?

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 used in the treatment plan the doctor has agreed with you.

Is SVF therapy suitable at any stage?

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 doctor decides after reviewing your imaging.

Which season is better for the procedure in Rustenburg?

Both have advantages. Mild winters, June to August, are comfortable for layers and sun protection, but cold mornings can increase stiffness. Hot, rainy summers, December to February, call for sun protection and rest. Pick a quiet period at work and at home.

When can I go back to work or sport?

This depends on your diagnosis, your job and the sport. Someone with an office job will usually return sooner than someone doing heavy manual or underground work. Ask the doctor for specific rules for your duties and agree a step-by-step return, especially for contact sport, jumping and golf.

Can I swim after the procedure?

Swimming is often gentle on joints, but pool and water rules after a puncture are set by the doctor. Follow them exactly and ask when you may return to the swimming club.

Who should not have this procedure?

Active infection, fever of unknown cause, an uncontrolled autoimmune flare, bleeding problems, some blood-thinning medicines, pregnancy and certain chronic illnesses may make it unsuitable. Tell the doctor about all medicines and allergies, including to local anaesthetic.

What should I send to the coordinators first?

A short description of your pain and stiffness, how long it has lasted, which joints are affected, your medicines, and any X-rays, ultrasound reports or blood results. Photos of a swollen or red joint also help.