PRP Therapy for Arthritis in San Francisco
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
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
What is arthritis
and when does this treatment fit?
Arthritis refers to inflammation within a joint. Typical complaints are resting and night-time pain, morning stiffness beyond half an hour, swelling, redness and warmth. It may be driven by autoimmune disease like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, by gout, by an infection or by a former injury.
While PRP and SVF can lower inflammation and pain and help the joint's inner tissues, a systemic disease still needs a rheumatologist — these injections do not take their place. They are never given during an active joint infection or a strong flare; the doctor first establishes the type of arthritis and times the procedure.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
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
Elbow
Pain following overuse or sports strain, along with worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff, painful small joints in the fingers and wrist
Knee
Worn cartilage, meniscus issues and pain climbing stairs or after a walk
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain on lifting the arm and wear of the joint and nearby tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
A small sample of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a mix of cells involved in tissue repair. Combined with your own plasma, it is injected into the affected joint.
Inflammatory arthritis is one use for it, once the acute flare has settled — because it acts on local inflammation and tissue repair.
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.
It may form one part of the overall treatment plan in rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis.
How the procedure goes: step by step
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 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
Separated into layers by spinning in a centrifuge, the sample yields the stromal vascular fraction, which is isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is placed precisely: it is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance.
Follow-up
After the procedure there is no hospital stay and no need for crutches; the doctor stays in touch and follows the joint's progress.
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 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
Separated into layers by spinning in a centrifuge, the sample yields the stromal vascular fraction, which is isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is placed precisely: it is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance.
Follow-up
After the procedure there is no hospital stay and no need for crutches; the doctor stays in touch and follows the joint's progress.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits are there so the doctor can see the joint's response and adjust the plan. Expect pain to ease over the first month, mobility to improve over about three months and the full effect to develop over around six months.
Conditions we treat
A doctor decides whether the treatment suits you after examining you and reviewing 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: inflamed skin above the treated joint, fever, a cold or the flu
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
Most people go home the same day and return to normal daily activity within a day or two; the puncture sites are covered with small dressings. During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction. Over the first month the pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and the full effect develops over around six months. 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. If you are being treated by a rheumatologist, do not stop your prescribed medication without talking to them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Keeping your natural joint rather than having it replaced: treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
No synthetic or donor material is involved — only your own adipose tissue and blood
No crutches
Local anaesthetic and punctures in place of incisions mean no long rehabilitation
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
The result matters to us beyond injection day, so we stay in touch after the procedure
Arthritis treatment prices
Price depends on the joint, the method and your type of arthritis, and the doctor names it after the consultation
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is arthritis and what are its symptoms?
Arthritis is an inflammatory joint disease. You may have pain at night or at rest, morning stiffness for longer than 30 minutes, swelling, and redness and warmth over the joint. The causes include infections, gout, psoriasis and autoimmune conditions, rheumatoid arthritis among them.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
PRP may be used in rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis to help reduce local inflammation, pain and swelling. Growth factors released by platelets influence the immune response and tissue repair. It complements, but does not replace, the treatment prescribed by your rheumatologist.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
A complete cure for psoriatic arthritis, a chronic disease, is not currently possible. What we aim for is long remission — control of inflammation and prevention of joint deformity — and regenerative injections can form one part of that plan.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
SVF contains cells that can adjust the local immune response and help repair damaged tissue in the joint. Research here is still ongoing, so the doctor will talk through realistic expectations for your type of arthritis.
When is the treatment not suitable?
It is not carried out during pregnancy, a severe flare or an active joint infection, nor with cancer or blood clotting disorders. In these situations the doctor postpones it or suggests something else.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage, usually showing as aching pain and a dry crunch with movement. Knee arthritis is inflammation from an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout, with redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness to touch.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
The pain comes because inflammation keeps stimulating the joint's pain receptors, at rest, at night and during movement. Treatment aimed at lowering inflammation — PRP and SVF included — can ease it.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No: joint injections, including PRP and SVF, are contraindicated in pregnancy. Decisions on treating arthritis while pregnant are made only with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician together.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. Send us the results of your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood tests: a doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you if regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Timely treatment is needed, because without it the disease can lead to permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys.
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Other services at our clinic
Arthritis treatment in San Francisco step by step
Arthritis treatment in San Francisco uses your own tissue: platelet-rich plasma from a small blood sample and the stromal vascular fraction from a small adipose tissue sample. There is no donor or synthetic material.
Pregnancy is a contraindication to joint injections, including PRP and SVF. For patients from San Francisco, arthritis treatment during pregnancy is decided only with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician.
Arthritis treatment in San Francisco: price at consultation, free case review, own tissue only. Leave your name and phone number, or message us in any messenger.
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