Regenerative Arthritis Care in Santiago
First a doctor reviews your tests and history; then PRP and SVF cell therapy may join your arthritis care for the knee, hand, shoulder or other joints
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 means an inflamed joint. It usually shows as pain at rest and at night, stiffness in the morning lasting over half an hour, swelling, redness and a warm joint. Causes differ: autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, an infection or a past injury.
PRP and SVF may help ease inflammation and pain and support the tissues within the joint, yet they are no substitute for a rheumatologist's care of a systemic disease. We do not carry out the procedure during an active joint infection or a severe flare — the doctor first confirms which arthritis you have and picks the right moment.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Any size of joint, large or small: your scans are reviewed first, then the doctor settles on the joint, the method and the number of injections
Elbow
Pain after strain in sport or overuse, and worn surfaces inside the joint
Hand and wrist joints
Small finger and wrist joints that feel stiff and hurt
Knee
Wear of the cartilage, problems with the meniscus, pain after walking and on stairs
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
SVF, or stromal vascular fraction, is a mix of cells involved in tissue repair, isolated by processing a small amount of your adipose tissue. It is combined with plasma from your own blood and injected into the affected joint.
Once the acute flare has settled, it is used in inflammatory arthritis for its effect on tissue repair and local inflammation.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
A small amount of your blood is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which is then injected into the joint. It helps settle inflammation and gives tissue repair better conditions.
For rheumatoid and other forms of inflammatory arthritis it may be suggested as one component of the overall plan of treatment.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
Examination of the joint and a review of X-rays, MRI or ultrasound let the doctor decide whether the procedure is suitable for you; scans you already have can be sent beforehand.
Blood sample for PRP
We take a small amount of blood from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is removed through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh under local anaesthetic, and no stitches are needed afterwards.
Processing in a centrifuge
The stromal vascular fraction is isolated after the sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers, then mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material goes directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping to place it accurately.
Follow-up
No crutches, no hospital stay — and after the procedure the doctor stays in touch to follow how your joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
Examination of the joint and a review of X-rays, MRI or ultrasound let the doctor decide whether the procedure is suitable for you; scans you already have can be sent beforehand.
Blood sample for PRP
We take a small amount of blood from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is removed through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh under local anaesthetic, and no stitches are needed afterwards.
Processing in a centrifuge
The stromal vascular fraction is isolated after the sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers, then mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material goes directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping to place it accurately.
Follow-up
No crutches, no hospital stay — and after the procedure the doctor stays in touch to follow how your joint responds.
Follow-up visits
The plan is adjusted at follow-up visits, where the doctor sees how the joint responds: pain tends to ease over the first month, mobility to improve over about three months, and the full effect to develop over roughly 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: a raised temperature (fever), a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint to be treated
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
You will most likely go home the same day and resume normal daily life within a day or two, with the punctures covered by small dressings. During the first week the joint may ache a bit more, which is expected. Pain tends to ease across the first month, mobility and activity improve over roughly three months, and the full effect takes around six months to develop. How long it lasts is individual — it depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors, and no one can promise a set result. If you see a rheumatologist, talk to them before stopping any prescribed medication.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery that sets out to keep your own joint instead of replacing it
Your own tissue
Only material from your body — your blood and adipose tissue — and nothing synthetic or from a donor
No crutches
No incisions, only punctures; local anaesthetic; no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your X-rays, MRI or reports and a doctor will give an independent assessment free of charge
Support after the procedure
Our contact does not end on the day of the injection — we stay in touch and follow the result
Arthritis treatment prices
The cost is set after the consultation: it depends on which joint, which type of arthritis and which method
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 inflames the joints. Classic signs: pain when resting and at night, over 30 minutes of stiffness in the morning, swelling, and a red, warm joint. Infections, gout, psoriasis and autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis are among its causes.
Can PRP help with rheumatoid arthritis?
PRP is sometimes used in rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis to help reduce pain, swelling and local inflammation, since the growth factors released by platelets influence tissue repair and the immune response. It complements your rheumatologist's treatment rather than replacing it.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely. The aim is long remission: controlling inflammation and preventing joint deformity. Regenerative injections can be one part of that plan.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
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.
When is the treatment not suitable?
It is not done if there is an active joint infection, a severe flare, pregnancy, cancer or a blood clotting disorder. The doctor then postpones the procedure or offers another option.
How is knee arthritis different from osteoarthritis?
Arthritis of the knee means inflammation — from an autoimmune reaction, infection or gout — with redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness when touched. Osteoarthritis is the wearing of cartilage and typically brings a dry crunch and aching pain on movement.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
PRP, SVF and other treatment aimed at reducing inflammation can ease this pain, because inflammation keeps stimulating the joint's pain receptors all the time — at rest, on movement and at night.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
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.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. A doctor will review your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results free of charge and tell you if regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis — just send them.
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.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Arthritis treatment in Santiago: what you should know
Growth factors released by platelets influence the immune response and tissue repair. For patients from Santiago with rheumatoid and other inflammatory arthritis, PRP may be one part of the overall plan.
If you are being treated by a rheumatologist, do not stop your prescribed medication without talking to them. In Santiago, regenerative injections are planned together with your ongoing treatment.
Send your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results. Patients from Santiago receive a free assessment and a clear answer on suitable treatment and its price.
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use it, you agree to the Privacy Policy and data processing terms
Get a consultation
Apply before the end of the year and get a consultation at the clinic's expense!