Arthritis Treatment in Soweto: Steps and Aftercare
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?
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.
PRP and SVF can support the tissues of the joint and help bring down inflammation and pain. They do not replace a rheumatologist when the disease is systemic. The doctor confirms your type of arthritis and the right timing first, and the procedure is not performed during a severe flare or an active joint infection.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large or small joints: once your scans are reviewed, the doctor picks the joint, the method and the number of injections
Elbow
Pain following overuse or sports strain, along with worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Small joints of the fingers and wrist that stiffen and hurt
Knee
Pain on stairs or after walking, cartilage wear and meniscus problems
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Joint and surrounding tendon wear, with pain on lifting the arm
Methods we use
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.
When the acute flare has died down, it can be used in inflammatory arthritis to act on local inflammation and help tissue repair.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
From a small amount of your blood, plasma rich in growth factors and platelets is separated and injected into the joint. It helps to calm inflammation and creates better conditions for repairing tissue.
It may be advised for rheumatoid or other inflammatory arthritis, always as just one part of the overall plan of treatment.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
No stitches are needed: a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh.
Processing in a centrifuge
In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is then isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
We inject the prepared material right into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound so that it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
Crutches and a hospital stay are not needed. The doctor keeps in contact afterwards and monitors how the joint is responding.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before the visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
No stitches are needed: a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh.
Processing in a centrifuge
In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is then isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
We inject the prepared material right into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound so that it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
Crutches and a hospital stay are not needed. The doctor keeps in contact afterwards and monitors how the joint is responding.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits allow the doctor to track the joint's response and fine-tune the plan: pain generally eases over the first month, mobility improves in about three months, and the full effect develops over roughly six months.
Conditions we treat
A doctor examines you, reviews your scans and then decides whether the treatment is suitable
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 fever, cold or flu, or any skin inflammation over the joint planned for treatment
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
A same-day return home is usual, and normal daily activity comes back within a day or two; the puncture sites just need small dressings. Some extra aching in the first week is an expected reaction. Expect pain to ease over the first month, mobility and activity to improve over about three months, and the full effect to develop over around six months. The duration is different for everyone and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — a fixed result is something nobody can promise. Patients treated by a rheumatologist should not stop prescribed medication without discussing it with them.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery: our work is about keeping your own joint, not replacing it
Your own tissue
Only your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
Punctures instead of incisions, local anaesthetic, no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
A doctor will give you an independent assessment free of charge — just send your X-rays, MRI or reports
Support after the procedure
After the injection day we stay in touch and keep following the result
Arthritis treatment prices
After the consultation the doctor names the cost, which depends on the joint, the arthritis type and the 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?
For rheumatoid and other types of inflammatory arthritis, PRP may be used to help reduce swelling, pain and local inflammation; the growth factors platelets release influence the immune response and tissue repair. It complements the treatment from your rheumatologist but does not replace it.
Can psoriatic arthritis be cured?
Regenerative injections can be one part of the plan for psoriatic arthritis — a chronic disease that cannot currently be cured completely, where the aim is long remission, controlled inflammation and no joint deformity.
How does SVF work in autoimmune arthritis?
The cells SVF contains can modulate local immunity and support repair of damaged tissue inside the joint. With research in this area ongoing, your doctor will discuss what is realistic to expect 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?
An autoimmune reaction, infection or gout can inflame the knee — that is knee arthritis, with redness, warmth, marked swelling and tenderness to touch. Osteoarthritis is cartilage wear, usually noticed as a dry crunch and aching pain when the knee moves.
Why does an arthritic joint hurt even at rest?
In an inflamed joint the pain receptors are stimulated all the time — during movement, at rest and at night. This pain can be eased by treatment aimed at reducing the inflammation, such as PRP and SVF.
Can joint injections be done during pregnancy?
No. In pregnancy, joint injections such as PRP and SVF are contraindicated, and any arthritis treatment is decided only together with a rheumatologist and an obstetrician.
Can I get a second opinion on my tests and scans?
Yes. Once you send your X-rays, MRI, ultrasound or blood test results, a doctor reviews them at no cost and says whether regenerative treatment could suit your type of arthritis.
What happens if rheumatoid arthritis is not treated?
Permanent joint deformity, loss of function, osteoporosis and damage to internal organs such as the heart, lungs and kidneys can follow if it goes untreated. Timely treatment is needed to prevent this.
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Other services at our clinic
How PRP and SVF work in arthritis for Soweto residents
The causes of arthritis vary: autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, gout, infection or an old injury. In Soweto, the doctor first confirms the type of arthritis, because treatment depends on it.
Pain usually eases over the first month, and mobility improves over about three months. For patients from Soweto, the full effect develops over around six months, and its duration differs from person to person.
The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Soweto, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation.
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