City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

Regenerative Joint Treatment in Kigali

For the knee, hip, shoulder and other joints: PRP and cell therapy (SVF). Your scans are reviewed free before you commit

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

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

What it is

What is regenerative
joint treatment?

Your blood provides platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and a small sample of adipose tissue provides the stromal vascular fraction (SVF). In regenerative joint treatment this material goes into the affected joint by injection, helping to reduce pain and inflammation and to support the tissues inside it.

  • 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

Examination and scan review come first; then the doctor decides 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: fever, flu or a cold, skin inflammation over the joint being treated

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

Your joint is examined and the doctor studies your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound to judge whether the procedure is suitable. Existing scans can be sent before the appointment.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

We take a small blood sample from a vein. From it, platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is prepared later on.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Under local anaesthetic, a small amount of adipose tissue — roughly 30 ml — is removed through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected precisely, directly into the affected joint.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No hospital stay and no crutches. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows 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

The material comes only from your own blood and adipose tissue, never from donors or synthetics

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

A little of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate SVF — the stromal vascular fraction, which contains cells involved in repairing tissue. It is then combined with your own plasma and injected into the joint.

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

Doctors tend to choose it when the joint shows more pronounced changes and a more durable effect is wanted.

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

Plasma rich in platelets and growth factors comes from a small amount of your blood; once injected into the joint, it helps reduce inflammation and sets up better conditions for tissue repair.

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

It may be given alone as a course of injections or combined with SVF.

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 — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans

  • KneeKneePain on stairs and after walking, meniscus problems, cartilage wear
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain as the arm goes up, wear of the joint and adjacent tendons
  • ElbowElbowAching after strain from sport or overuse, joint surface wear
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiff, painful small joints in the fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

The goal is your own joint kept, not replaced, through treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

The material comes only from your own blood and adipose tissue, never from donors or synthetics

No crutches

No crutches

Instead of incisions, punctures under local anaesthetic, and no long rehabilitation afterwards

Second opinion

Second opinion

Forward your X-rays, MRI or reports to get a free, independent assessment from a doctor

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

Beyond the day of the injection, we keep in touch after the procedure and follow your result

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

Joint treatment prices

The joint, the method and the stage of the condition determine the cost, so it is set after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Joint treatment in Kigali: methods, steps and price

Joint pain does not always mean surgery. In Kigali, many people with early or moderate changes in the knee, hip or shoulder first try to preserve their own joint. SVF and PRP injections aim to reduce pain and inflammation and to slow further wear of the cartilage.

Keeping a healthy weight and regular, joint-friendly exercise help the result last longer. The doctor explains which activities suit your joint and which loads to avoid — the same advice applies to every patient in Kigali.

To get started, send your scans or book a visit. Patients from Kigali receive a free review, a clear answer on whether treatment is suitable, and the price for their case.

Kigali and its joints: why the hills matter

Kigali is the capital of Rwanda and a province-level city. According to the 2022 census it had 1,745,555 inhabitants. It sits near the geographic centre of the country, on rolling hills with valleys and ridges joined by steep slopes. For anyone with a painful knee or hip, this landscape is part of everyday life. Walking to a minibus stop, climbing a slope after the rains, going down steps to a market or carrying shopping uphill all load the joints in a way that flat cities do not.

Many people in Kigali first notice a problem on a slope. Going downhill makes the knee ache, or the groin and buttock hurt on the way up. These are useful signs to describe when you first talk to a specialist. Pain on stairs, pain after a long walk, pain when getting out of a car or a minibus and pain in the first steps after sitting are different pictures, and each helps a doctor judge which joint and which structure are involved.

Joint treatment covers a wide range: conservative care, arthroscopy (a keyhole look into the joint) and joint replacement. Most patients start at the gentle end and move along it only if needed. This text explains how that choice looks for a person who lives and works in Kigali, and how a free online consultation with our coordinators can prepare you for a conversation with a surgeon.

Conservative care first: what it means in a hilly city

Conservative care means treatment without surgery: a review of the diagnosis, a sensible activity plan, exercises that strengthen the muscles around the knee and hip, weight management where it applies, and medication chosen by the treating doctor. Because Kigali is built on ridges, a practical plan has to consider your real daily route: how many slopes you cross, whether you walk to work, and whether your home has steps.

Body weight is one factor that doctors discuss, because extra weight adds load to the knees and hips. The World Health Organization describes overweight and obesity as a widespread health concern. In a city where the evening meal often includes cassava, plantains, beans, sweet potatoes and brochettes, the goal is not to give up local food but to look at portions, frying and how much you move afterwards. A realistic change that you can keep is better than a strict plan you drop after two weeks.

Exercises should be learned correctly. Many patients in Kigali are young and active, and they try to push through the pain. Training through a swollen joint can make things worse. Ask the specialist which movements are safe, which should be paused, and how to tell a normal muscle ache from a signal to stop.

Is it arthritis? Signs worth describing

Not every aching joint is wear and tear. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. If your knee wakes you at night or feels locked in the morning for a long time, say so clearly during the consultation.

This matters because inflammatory arthritis needs a different approach from simple mechanical wear. A person from Kigali who has been treating a swollen, warm joint with rest and a massage may be missing the real cause. Tests and a specialist examination come first, and surgery of any kind is considered only after the cause is understood.

Prepare a short note before the online consultation: which joint, since when, what makes it worse, whether there is swelling or warmth, whether the morning stiffness is long, and whether you have skin problems such as psoriasis or earlier attacks of gout. Bring any previous scans or reports you already have, as photos on your phone. Our coordinators can tell you which documents are the most useful.

Arthroscopy and joint replacement: when each is discussed

Arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure in which the surgeon looks inside the joint and treats certain problems, for example some meniscus or cartilage injuries. It suits specific findings, not every painful knee. Footballers and runners in Kigali, who often play on weekends on uneven ground, sometimes come with a twisting injury. For them an arthroscopic option may be discussed after scans and examination.

Joint replacement is considered when the joint is badly damaged and daily life is limited despite conservative care. It is a major operation that needs careful selection, good general health and a clear plan for rehabilitation. The surgeon will explain the type of implant, the anaesthesia and the expected stay in the hospital. We do not quote numbers here that your surgeon has not confirmed for your own case.

For the hip, the stage of the disease changes the options. 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. So an early consultation can widen your choices, while waiting until walking becomes very difficult can narrow them.

SVF therapy: what the procedure involves

SVF therapy uses your own 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 sample is then processed and used as part of the treatment plan that the doctor has set for your joint.

For a patient in Kigali this means a short, limited procedure at the collection stage, without a large wound. Still, the puncture area should be kept clean and you should follow the dressing instructions you are given. If you work on your feet, for example in retail, hotels or transport, ask how soon you can return to your normal activity and what to avoid in the first days.

SVF is not a replacement for surgery in every case. It is discussed mainly for early stages, and the doctor decides after examining the scans. A fair consultation will tell you both the possible benefits and the limits, and will not promise an outcome.

Climate and recovery in Kigali

Kigali has a tropical savanna climate, but its high elevation, about 1,567 m above sea level on average, keeps temperatures milder than in many equatorial places. Daily temperatures usually range between 15 and 27 °C with little change through the year. That is good news for recovery: you are rarely forced to rest in extreme heat, and a compression garment or a bandage is easier to tolerate than in a very hot climate.

There are two rainy seasons, from February to June and from September to December, with a long dry season between June and September and a shorter one from December to February. Wet weather on steep slopes means slippery paths and a higher risk of a fall. If you have just had a procedure on the knee or hip, plan to avoid muddy hillside walks and use proper footwear and a stick or crutches if the surgeon recommends them. In the dry season dust can be a problem for wounds, so keep dressings intact and clean.

Sun at this altitude can be strong even when the air feels cool. Protect any healing scar or puncture area from direct sun with clothing, and ask the surgeon when it is safe to expose it. Swelling often increases when you stand for long periods, so plan to rest with the leg raised in the afternoon. Questions about swimming in a pool or any open water should be put to your surgeon, who will say when the wound is ready.

Choosing the season and planning around city life

There is no single best month for a joint procedure in Kigali. The more important question is when you can rest properly. The dry season from June to September offers firmer ground, which is helpful when you start walking again. The rainy months bring slippery slopes, so you will need more help with moving around, but the temperature stays moderate in any case.

Think about work and family. Kigali is the main business centre of Rwanda, with services, information technology, transport and hotels as large sectors. Many people have jobs that need standing, driving or long periods of sitting in traffic. Office work may allow an earlier return than work that needs lifting or constant walking. Tell the surgeon exactly what your working day involves, and ask for a written plan for returning to work step by step.

The city has a young population and many students, with several universities and institutes. Students should plan around exams and practical classes, and avoid scheduling a procedure just before a busy term. Families should also consider celebrations and gatherings: long hours sitting at a table or dancing are not good for a healing joint. Ask the surgeon what to expect when you attend such events in the first weeks.

Food culture also plays a part. A buffet meal with beans, plantains, cassava and fish gives a balanced base for healing, and a stew with cassava leaves is a familiar, filling dish. Ask your doctor whether any diet changes are needed for your case, especially if you have gout, where some foods may need attention.

How the remote consultation from Kigali works

The consultation is free and online. You contact our coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, and they are available around the clock, 24/7. You describe the problem, send photos of your scans and reports, and answer questions about your joint, your work and your general health. The coordinators then arrange a conversation with a specialist who reviews the information.

Because the first step is remote, you can do it from home or from your workplace in Kigali, in the evening after work or at the weekend, without losing a day. Prepare your questions in advance and write down the answers. If your connection is weak in some parts of the city, send documents first and agree on the best way to talk, voice or video.

We do not have an office or doctors in Kigali, and we do not name local clinics or surgeons. What we offer is an independent opinion and a clear explanation of the options, so that you can decide calmly and discuss the plan with your own doctor.

Questions to ask the surgeon and who is a candidate

Good questions are simple. What exactly is wrong with my joint? What are all the options, from conservative care to surgery? What are the benefits and limits of each? What anaesthesia is planned? How long will I stay in hospital, and what help will I need at home? When can I walk on slopes, drive, return to work and play sport? What signs after the procedure mean I should call at once?

Candidates for conservative care include almost everyone at the start. Candidates for arthroscopy are patients with specific findings on the scan and examination. Joint replacement is for advanced damage with real limits in daily life. SVF therapy is discussed mainly at early stages. General reasons for caution include active infection, uncontrolled chronic illness, bleeding disorders, or conditions that make anaesthesia unsafe. Only a doctor who has examined you and seen your tests can decide.

Be honest about your habits and your home. If you live high on a ridge with many steps, say so. If you care for children or older relatives, say so. A plan that fits real life in Kigali is more likely to succeed than one that looks perfect on paper.

Can I have the first consultation without leaving Kigali?

Yes. The consultation is free and online. You write to our coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, send your reports and scans as photos, and a specialist reviews them with you.

When are the coordinators available?

Around the clock, 24/7, on WhatsApp and Telegram, so you can write after work or at the weekend.

Do hills in Kigali make knee and hip pain worse?

Steep slopes load the knees and hips, especially going downhill and on stairs. Describe to the specialist exactly when the pain appears so that the plan can match your daily walking.

How do I know if my pain could be arthritis?

Typical signs are pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. A doctor should examine you to confirm.

What is SVF therapy and how is the sample 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.

Can SVF therapy help my hip?

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.

Does the weather in Kigali affect recovery?

The climate is mild because of the altitude, with temperatures between 15 and 27 °C. In the rainy seasons slippery slopes are the main concern, and in the dry season dust and sun need attention. Follow your surgeon's advice on dressings and sun protection.

When is the best time of year for the procedure?

There is no universal answer. The dry season gives firmer ground for first walks, but the main factor is whether you can rest and have help at home. Discuss your work and study calendar with the specialist.

Can I return to work and sport after joint treatment?

It depends on the procedure and on your job. Desk work usually allows an earlier return than work that needs lifting or long walking. Ask your surgeon for a step-by-step plan for work and sport.

Does the centre have a clinic in Kigali?

No. The consultation is remote, and the coordinators help you prepare questions and documents so that you can discuss the options with confidence.