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Knee and Hip Treatment in Klerksdorp Without Surgery

We treat the knee, hip, shoulder and other joints with SVF and PRP. Before anything is decided, your scans are reviewed at no cost

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 regenerative
joint treatment?

Instead of implants or foreign substances, regenerative joint treatment uses you as the source: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from your blood and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from a small adipose tissue sample. It is injected into the troubled joint to lower pain and inflammation and support the tissues inside.

  • 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

It is a doctor who decides if the treatment fits you — after an examination and a review of your scans

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 cold, flu or fever, skin inflammation above 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

Before anything else, the doctor examines the joint and goes through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound to see if the procedure is suitable. Scans can be sent to us ahead of time.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

Blood is drawn from a vein — only a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is made from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Around 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a single puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh under local anaesthetic, and the site needs no stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The sample is centrifuged and divides into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated from it and mixed with platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The material, once prepared, is injected directly into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in contact after the procedure and follows your joint's progress.

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

We use nothing but your own blood and adipose tissue, with no donor or synthetic material

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

To obtain SVF, the stromal vascular fraction, a small amount of your adipose tissue is processed; this cell mix takes part in repairing tissue. It is injected into the affected joint together with plasma from your own blood.

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

Platelet- and growth-factor-rich plasma is obtained from a little of your blood and injected into the joint, where it helps calm inflammation and improves the 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

Treatment covers large and small joints, with the joint, the method and the number of injections chosen after the doctor reviews your scans

  • KneeKneeMeniscus trouble, worn cartilage, pain when using stairs or after walking
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWear of the joint and its tendons, pain when raising the arm
  • ElbowElbowPain after overload or sports strain, worn surfaces of the joint
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsFinger and wrist joints that feel stiff and painful
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We focus on preserving your own joint instead of replacing it, without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

We use nothing but your own blood and adipose tissue, with no donor or synthetic material

No crutches

No crutches

Punctures rather than incisions, local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Free of charge: a doctor's independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We stay in touch after the procedure and follow the result, not just the day of the injection

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 doctor names the cost after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of the condition

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

About non-surgical joint treatment for patients from Klerksdorp

Knee problems are the most familiar reason to seek help: cartilage wear, meniscus damage, pain on stairs and after walking. Patients from Klerksdorp with hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow or wrist pain follow the same path — scan review, examination and a clear plan.

The procedure in Klerksdorp takes one day. Blood is taken from a vein for PRP, a small portion of adipose tissue is taken under local anaesthetic without stitches, the material is spun in a centrifuge, and the prepared mix is injected precisely into the affected joint.

Book a free consultation in Klerksdorp to find out whether regenerative joint treatment suits you. The doctor names the price after examining the joint and reviewing your scans.

Klerksdorp and its joints: why this city asks about knee and hip care

Klerksdorp lies in the North West Province of South Africa, about 165 km southeast of Mahikeng, the provincial capital. It has about 227,039 inhabitants. Its history is closely tied to work: the town was the first capital of the then Transvaal Republic, it grew as a trading point linking Kimberley to Johannesburg, and it attracted a mix of farmers, miners and immigrants who served both industries. A town built on that kind of work has many residents who have spent decades on their feet, kneeling, lifting and climbing, and that is the background to the questions about knees and hips that reach City Medical Centre from here.

Joint treatment is not one operation. It is a ladder of options: conservative care, arthroscopy (a keyhole look into the joint with small instruments) and joint replacement of the knee or hip. A sensible plan starts at the lowest rung that really fits the problem. Many people in Klerksdorp first ask whether they will need a replacement at all, and the honest answer depends on the stage of the joint disease, the findings on imaging and the person's daily demands, not on age alone.

This section is written for residents of Klerksdorp who are weighing these options and want to prepare for a conversation with a specialist. It explains how daily life in the city, from work and school runs to the local climate, interacts with each stage of treatment, and which questions are worth asking before any decision is made.

Work and local industry: how the way you earn a living shapes the plan

Klerksdorp is one of the hubs of South African gold mining, although its importance has been decreasing in recent years, and together with Rustenburg it forms the economic heart of the North West Province. Around it, the district is a major contributor to South African agriculture, with maize, sorghum, groundnuts and sunflower as important crops, and Sussex cattle herds are a local pride. The city is also a notable retail, educational and medical centre for the province and Northern Free State, and several national departments and the large banks have offices here.

These occupations load the joints in very different ways. Someone who works underground or on a farm may kneel, squat, carry heavy loads and walk over uneven ground; a bank clerk or official in an office may sit for long hours, which stiffens the hip and aggravates knee pain on standing up. When you describe your problem to a surgeon, say precisely what your working day involves. It changes the advice on the choice between conservative care, arthroscopy and replacement, and it changes what return to work realistically looks like.

Physically demanding jobs often need a written plan with the employer: lighter duties for a period, a gradual return and a clear statement from the treating team about what is allowed. Office workers should ask about moving regularly and about how to sit and rise safely after hip surgery. The remote consultation can include a discussion of a letter for your employer, which many people from Klerksdorp find useful.

Climate: semi-arid seasons and recovery

Klerksdorp has a semi-arid climate with warm to hot summers and cool, dry winters. Average annual precipitation is 482 mm, with most of the rain falling in summer. For a person recovering from knee or hip treatment this pattern has practical consequences in each season.

In summer, heat is the main issue. Swelling around a treated joint tends to feel worse in hot weather, and compression garments or bandages can be uncomfortable. Ask the surgeon how to manage the garment in hot conditions, how to keep the skin clean and dry, and when it is acceptable to rest the leg raised. Summer storms can leave wet and slippery surfaces; with a stick or crutches, wet ground is a real hazard, so plan your steps and footwear. Sun on healing skin should be avoided: cover scars with clothing and use shade rather than exposing the area, and ask about sun protection once wounds are closed.

Winter is dry and cool. Cold mornings stiffen joints, and people with arthritis often notice that morning stiffness is more pronounced. Warm layers, a gentle warm-up routine agreed with a physiotherapist and a warm indoor space for exercises all help. Dry air and dust can irritate, so keep wounds covered according to the instructions you receive. Many patients consider the cooler season attractive for an operation because compression wear is easier to tolerate, but the right moment depends first on the state of the joint, and the season should be treated as a secondary factor.

Arthritis or wear? Recognising what is behind your joint pain

Not every painful knee or hip needs an operation, and not every pain 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 pain wakes you at night in a Klerksdorp winter and your joint is stiff and warm in the morning, that pattern deserves a proper medical assessment rather than only painkillers.

Mechanical wear usually behaves differently: pain is worse with activity such as walking on uneven ground, climbing stairs or standing up from a low seat, and eases with rest. In practice the two can overlap. That is why the first step of any remote consultation is a careful history: when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, whether other joints, skin or the spine are involved, and what tests you have already had.

Bring what you have: reports from local doctors, X-ray or scan images and their descriptions, and blood test results if any were done. Photographs of a swollen or red joint taken at home can also help the specialist. The coordinators, available around the clock on Telegram and Telegram, will tell you how to send these files securely so that the doctor sees the whole picture before the online conversation.

Conservative care first: what can be tried before surgery

For many residents of Klerksdorp the best first step is non-surgical. Conservative care typically combines a targeted exercise programme, guidance on movement and load, supportive aids, weight management where relevant, and medicines chosen by a doctor to match the diagnosis. If the joint pain comes from an inflammatory cause such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or psoriasis, treating that underlying condition is essential, and replacing or cleaning a joint will not solve it alone.

Weight matters because every step loads the knees and hips. The World Health Organization describes obesity and overweight as a major health concern, and in joint care this is a practical point: a realistic plan for gradual weight reduction can reduce symptoms and make later surgery safer. Food culture in a farming and cattle region tends to be rich in meat, maize and hearty home cooking, and family gatherings are central. A good plan does not ask you to give up your food traditions, but to adjust portions and balance them with vegetables, protein and activity you can manage.

There is also a newer option for selected early cases. 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. In this procedure, 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. At later stages surgery is usually required. Whether this applies to you can only be judged by a specialist after looking at your imaging, so ask directly which stage your hip or knee has reached.

Arthroscopy and joint replacement: asking the surgeon the right questions

When conservative care is no longer enough, the specialist may discuss arthroscopy or replacement. Arthroscopy suits particular problems inside the joint, such as certain meniscus or cartilage injuries, and is less suited to a joint that is worn throughout. Replacement of the knee or hip is considered when pain and loss of function seriously limit daily life and when imaging shows advanced damage. At later stages of disease, surgery is usually required.

Prepare your questions before the online consultation. Which stage is my joint at, and what do the images show? What are the alternatives and what happens if I wait? Which type of anaesthesia is proposed, and why? How long will I stay in hospital, and what will rehabilitation involve? What are the possible complications, and how are they handled? What will I be able to do in my work and in sport, and what should I avoid? Write the answers down, because it is easy to forget details after a long call.

Klerksdorp has several private hospitals, and local follow-up care is a real advantage. Ask the surgeon what the follow-up arrangement would be with your local physician and physiotherapist, which reports they will need, and which warning signs mean you should contact the team at once: increasing redness, heat, fever, rising pain or calf swelling. Agree in advance how to reach the coordinators at any hour, since they work 24/7.

Daily life in Klerksdorp during recovery: home, school, sport and family

Planning a recovery means looking at an ordinary week. Klerksdorp has many primary and secondary schools, public and private, so many patients are parents or grandparents with school-run duties. Think ahead about who will do the driving, the lifting of small children and the shopping, and whether a relative can stay close in the first period after surgery. Check the home: steps at the entrance, a low toilet, a bath that is difficult to step into and loose rugs are the usual obstacles. Simple changes before the operation make the first days far easier.

Sport and outdoor life are important here. The Harry Oppenheimer Stadium is a popular venue for school athletics, and the Oudorp hiking trail, which is 12 km long and winds through the oldest parts of town, and the Faan Meintjies Nature Reserve, about 15 km from the city, attract walkers. After joint treatment, return to this kind of activity is gradual and guided by your surgeon and physiotherapist. Start with short flat walks, increase only when advised, and do not attempt a long trail early because you feel better. Ask which sports are realistic in the long run: swimming and cycling are often better tolerated than running or contact sports, but the specialist must confirm this for your joint.

Water around Klerksdorp, such as the Johan Neser Dam, tempts people in hot months. Pools, dams and open water should only be used once wounds are fully healed and the surgeon has given permission. Family events, braais and celebrations are also part of life: you can attend, but sit comfortably with the leg supported, avoid long standing, and be careful with alcohol if you are taking medication.

Who is a candidate and who should wait

In general terms, people who are considered for joint treatment have persistent pain, stiffness or limited movement that disturbs sleep, work or daily tasks, and who have not been helped enough by simpler measures. Age by itself is not the deciding factor; general health, the state of the joint and personal goals are. A younger person with severe damage and an older person with good general condition may both be candidates, but for different reasons and with different expectations.

Some conditions call for caution or delay: an active infection anywhere in the body, uncontrolled diabetes or blood pressure, serious heart or lung disease that has not been assessed, skin problems over the joint, and bleeding or clotting disorders. Smoking slows healing and should be discussed openly. If you have a gout flare, active inflammatory arthritis or psoriasis, your condition first needs to be controlled. For SVF therapy in particular, the stage of the disease matters, and it is considered at early stages (1–2).

Be frank about medicines, previous operations, allergies and any implants or metal in the body. Provide a complete list during the remote consultation. The doctor may ask for further tests with your local laboratory or imaging centre in Klerksdorp, which is a normal part of preparation and not a sign that surgery is already decided.

How the remote consultation works from Klerksdorp

The first consultation is free and online, so you stay at home in Klerksdorp. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they are available around the clock. You describe your complaint, send your documents and images, and the coordinator arranges a conversation with a specialist who reviews your case.

During the call the doctor asks about your pain, your occupation, your sport and your goals, looks at your reports and explains the possible options in plain language: conservative care, SVF therapy for suitable early stages, arthroscopy or joint replacement. You can ask about anaesthesia, hospital stay, rehabilitation and what the follow-up will be with your local doctors. You are not obliged to decide during the call.

Afterwards, take time to talk with family, check your work arrangements and compare your questions with the answers you wrote down. If anything is unclear, return to the coordinators with follow-up questions. A good decision about a knee or hip is an informed and unhurried one.

Do I need a joint replacement if my knee hurts when I climb stairs?

Not necessarily. Pain on stairs is common and has many causes, from muscle weakness to early wear to meniscus problems. A specialist needs to look at your history and imaging first. Conservative care is usually tried before surgery, and replacement is considered when damage is advanced and daily life is seriously limited.

How can I tell arthritis from ordinary wear?

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. Wear usually hurts more with activity and eases with rest, but only an examination can separate them.

What is SVF therapy and is it for me?

It is a procedure under local anaesthetic in which a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed. 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 specialist decides after reviewing your imaging.

Does the hot Klerksdorp summer affect recovery?

It can. Heat tends to increase swelling and makes compression garments harder to wear. Ask the surgeon how to manage the garment, keep skin clean and dry, rest with the leg raised and protect scars from direct sun. Wet ground after summer storms is also a risk if you are using crutches or a stick.

Is winter a better season for an operation?

Cooler weather makes compression wear easier to tolerate, and Klerksdorp winters are dry and cool. However, cold mornings can stiffen joints, so a warm-up routine is useful. The season is a secondary factor; the state of your joint and your general health decide the timing.

When can I go back to work and sport?

This depends on the procedure, your job and your progress. Desk work and heavy physical work such as mining or farming need different timelines. Ask the surgeon for a written plan with gradual steps, and do not return to long walks, trails or sport until your surgeon and physiotherapist agree.

Can I use a pool or dam while recovering?

Only after the wounds are fully healed and the surgeon has given permission. Open water and pools carry an infection risk for healing skin, so keep to the rules you are given even if the weather is tempting.

What should I send before the online consultation?

Send previous medical reports, X-ray or scan images with their descriptions, blood test results, a list of your medicines and allergies, and photographs of any visible swelling or redness. The coordinators on Telegram or Telegram will explain how to send files.

What if I have other illnesses such as diabetes or heart disease?

Tell the doctor at the start. Such conditions do not always rule out treatment, but they must be controlled and assessed before surgery. Active infection, uncontrolled blood pressure or diabetes, and clotting problems may require delay.

Is the first consultation really free, and when can I reach someone?

Yes, the first online consultation is free. The coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and Telegram, so you can write when it suits you, including evenings and weekends, and arrange the conversation with a specialist from your home in Klerksdorp.