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Joint Treatment in Lubumbashi: Methods and Steps

Cell therapy (SVF) and platelet-rich plasma for knee, hip and shoulder joints and beyond, plus a free look at your scans first

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?

The treatment is regenerative and uses only what your body supplies: PRP (platelet-rich plasma from the blood) and SVF (the stromal vascular fraction from a small piece of adipose tissue). Injected into the joint that hurts, it aims to calm inflammation, ease pain and support the tissue within.

  • 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

Suitability is decided by a doctor once you have been examined and your scans reviewed

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, a cold or the flu, inflammation of the skin over the joint to be 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

An examination of the joint and a review of your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound results let the doctor decide whether the procedure suits you. Please send any scans you have before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken. It is later used to prepare plasma rich in platelets and growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Under local anaesthetic the doctor takes roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue through a small puncture in the abdomen or inner thigh; stitches are not 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

With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

Neither a hospital stay nor crutches are required. The doctor stays in contact after the procedure and monitors how the 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

The method starts with a small adipose tissue sample, which is processed to separate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a mix of cells active in tissue repair. With your own plasma added, it is injected into the affected joint.

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

It tends to be used when the joint is more visibly changed and a longer-lasting effect is being sought.

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

The doctor separates plasma rich in platelets and growth factors from a small amount of your blood and injects it into the joint. This helps to calm inflammation and supports tissue repair.

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

Either on its own, as a series of injections, or together 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

From large joints to small ones: the doctor picks the joint, the technique and the injection count after studying your scans

  • KneeKneeWorn cartilage, meniscus problems, pain on stairs or after walking
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when you raise your arm, worn joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowWear of the joint surfaces, pain after overuse or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and pain in the small joints of the hand and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Treatment without surgery, aimed at keeping your own joint instead of replacing it

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

Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Your X-rays, MRI or reports get a free independent assessment from a doctor — just send them

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We follow the result after the procedure and stay in contact, not only on 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

Because the joint, the stage of the condition and the method all affect the cost, the doctor states it after the consultation

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 Lubumbashi

Joint treatment in Lubumbashi is built around keeping your own joint. Instead of a long rehabilitation after surgery, you get injections under local anaesthetic, no crutches and no hospital stay, and the doctor stays in touch afterwards.

Over about three months mobility and activity usually improve, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts depends on the stage of the condition, body weight and activity, so no one can promise a fixed result to patients in Lubumbashi.

Joint treatment in Lubumbashi: price at consultation, free scan review, own tissue only. Leave your name and phone number, or message us in any messenger.

Lubumbashi and why joint health matters here

Lubumbashi is the second-largest city in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in the southeasternmost part of the country near the border with Zambia. It is the capital and principal city of Haut-Katanga Province and the centre of mining in the region. The population of the urban area is estimated at around 2,584,000 in 2021. For a city of this size, knee and hip pain is a very ordinary reason to look for a second medical opinion.

Many residents spend their working lives in settings that load the joints: mining and industrial work, copper smelting, brick making, printing, distribution of minerals, long hours standing in markets and long journeys on foot or on a motorbike. Others work in banks, offices, schools and the university, where the problem is prolonged sitting, stiff hips and weight gain over the years. Whatever the job, a knee or hip that hurts on stairs, after a night's rest or at the end of a shift deserves a proper assessment.

This text is meant for people in Lubumbashi who are comparing options: conservative care, arthroscopy and joint replacement. It explains how to prepare questions, how to think about the seasons and daily life of the city, and how the free online consultation works with coordinators available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram.

Conservative care: what to try first

Most knee and hip problems are first treated without an operation. Conservative care usually means a diagnosis based on examination and imaging, advice on activity, weight control, physiotherapy to strengthen the muscles around the joint, walking aids when needed, and medicines chosen by the doctor. It is a stage that can last a long time and can give real relief when the joint damage is still limited.

Weight matters. WHO describes obesity and overweight as a major health problem, and every extra kilogram adds load to the knees and hips. In a city with a rich food culture, where shared family meals, celebrations and street food are part of social life, a realistic plan is better than a strict one. The aim is small, lasting changes in portions and daily movement that the patient can keep up.

Work habits also count. A person who lifts and carries all day needs a different plan from a teacher or banker who sits for hours. During the online consultation, describe your working day in detail, because the specialist will build advice around it.

Arthritis or wear: recognising the signs

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.

This distinction matters in practice. Pain that appears only after a long walk is often mechanical, while pain that wakes you at night with a warm, swollen joint points towards inflammation and needs an examination and tests before any decision about surgery. A person in Lubumbashi who notices these signs should not wait for the joint to deteriorate, and should not treat it only with self-chosen painkillers.

Gout is worth mentioning because diet and drinks, including beer, which is part of the city's brewing tradition, can influence flare-ups. Ask the doctor what applies to you rather than relying on general rumours.

Early stages and SVF therapy for the 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. This is why seeing a specialist early is useful: the same hip pain can mean very different things depending on the stage.

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. For a patient with a busy schedule in a working city, a procedure with a small puncture area and no stitches is easier to plan around than a major operation, though your surgeon decides whether it suits you.

Do not expect it to work at every stage. If imaging shows advanced damage, an honest specialist will say that surgery is the realistic path. Ask directly at which stage your joint is and what that means for your options.

Arthroscopy and joint replacement: questions for the surgeon

Arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure used for selected problems inside the knee or hip, and joint replacement is considered when the joint is badly damaged and daily life is limited. The right choice depends on imaging, age, activity, general health and the stage of the disease, not on a fixed rule.

Useful questions to take to the consultation: What exactly is wrong with my joint and at which stage? What happens if I wait? Which options suit me and why? What type of anaesthesia is planned? How long will I stay in hospital? What will rehabilitation involve? When can I return to work, driving and sport? What complications should I watch for and whom do I contact if something worries me?

Send your scans, X-rays, MRI reports and test results before the call. Coordinators answer around the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram, so you can send documents in the evening after work and have them ready for the specialist.

Climate, seasons and choosing the time

Lubumbashi has a dry-winter humid subtropical climate, with warm rainy summers and pleasant, dry winters. Most rainfall comes in summer and early autumn, and the annual average is 1,238 mm. The city lies at around 1,208 m above sea level, and the altitude cools a climate that would otherwise be very hot.

For recovery, the dry season is usually more comfortable: roads are easier to manage with crutches or a walker, and there is less risk of slipping on wet ground. In the rainy months, wet steps, mud and puddles are a real hazard for someone with a new knee or hip, so plan the home carefully, with a clear path, dry floors and a stable chair.

Warm weather also affects swelling. Heat can make a treated leg feel heavier, so rest with the leg raised, wear compression garments only as your surgeon instructs, drink enough water and avoid long periods in the sun. Keep the wound clean and dry, and ask about swimming pools or bathing in natural water: they should wait until the surgeon allows them.

Daily life, work and family during recovery

Lubumbashi is a commercial and industrial centre, and many people cannot simply stop working. Talk to your employer early. Office work, teaching or banking may be resumed sooner than physical work in industry, mining services or transport, but the exact timing must come from your surgeon after the operation, not from a general table.

Family matters too. Celebrations, church gatherings and shared meals are central to life, and a patient on crutches should not feel pressure to attend everything. Ask relatives to help with shopping, cooking, children and getting around. Choose a helper for the first days at home who can assist with the exercises prescribed by the physiotherapist.

Students at the University of Lubumbashi or other institutions should plan around exam periods, since sitting for long hours with a recovering knee needs breaks and a raised leg. Sport, from football with friends to regular walks, returns in stages: first gentle movement, then strength, and only later impact activity, under the surgeon's guidance.

How the online consultation from Lubumbashi works

The consultation is free and online. You write to a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram at any hour, since the team is available 24/7. You describe your complaint, how long it has lasted, previous treatment, medicines and chronic conditions, and send your imaging and test results.

A specialist reviews the materials and discusses the likely diagnosis, the stage, the realistic options and the next steps. You can ask about conservative care, arthroscopy, SVF therapy at early stages, or joint replacement, and about preparation and rehabilitation at home in Lubumbashi.

You decide at your own pace. A consultation is not a commitment, and it is reasonable to compare the advice with the opinion of your local doctor. Keep all reports together and note your questions beforehand so that nothing is forgotten.

Who is a candidate and who should be careful

In general terms, candidates for treatment are people whose joint pain limits walking, sleep or work and who have been assessed with imaging. Those with early-stage hip changes may be considered for supportive treatment, while people with advanced damage are usually directed to surgery.

Caution is needed with active infections, uncontrolled chronic diseases, severe heart or lung problems, bleeding disorders, untreated gout or autoimmune flare-ups, and smoking, which slows healing. Be open about all medicines and conditions. In a city where access to some tests may vary, gather what you can and let the specialist say what else is needed.

Finally, motivation and preparation count. Patients who strengthen their muscles beforehand, manage weight, arrange help at home and follow the rehabilitation plan generally cope better with the recovery period.

Is the online consultation from Lubumbashi really free?

Yes. The first online consultation is free. You contact a coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram and send your documents.

When can I write to the coordinators?

At any time. Coordinators are available 24/7, so you can write after work or in the evening.

Do I always need surgery for knee or hip pain?

No. Many cases start with conservative care: diagnosis, activity advice, weight control, physiotherapy and medicines chosen by a doctor. Surgery is considered when the joint damage is advanced.

What are the signs of 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.

Can SVF therapy delay hip replacement?

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.

How is the material for SVF therapy collected?

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.

What season is better for an operation in Lubumbashi?

The dry winter is usually more comfortable for moving with crutches, while the rainy summer brings wet ground and slipping hazards. Your surgeon and your work schedule should make the final decision.

How should I handle heat and swelling during recovery?

Keep the leg raised when resting, use compression garments only if your surgeon prescribes them, drink water, avoid long sun exposure and wait for permission before swimming.

When can I go back to work and sport?

It depends on the procedure and on your job. Office work usually returns sooner than heavy physical work. Your surgeon sets the timing, and sport is resumed in stages.

What should I send before the consultation?

X-rays, MRI or CT reports, test results, a list of medicines and chronic conditions, and a short description of when the pain started and what helped.