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Cell Therapy for Joints in Polokwane

PRP and SVF cell therapy for the knee, hip, shoulder and more. We review your scans free of charge before any decision

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?

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

The decision on whether the treatment suits you is made by a doctor, after an examination and a look at 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

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

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

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

In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is then isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Directly into the affected joint: the prepared material is injected under ultrasound guidance for precise placement.

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

The usual reason to choose it: more pronounced changes in the joint and the goal of a longer-lasting effect.

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

Small joints and large ones alike — your scans guide the doctor's choice of joint, method and number of injections

  • KneeKneeCartilage wear, meniscus issues, pain after walking and on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when you raise your arm, worn joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain following overuse or sports strain, wear of joint surfaces
  • 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

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

No long rehabilitation: punctures instead of incisions, done under local anaesthetic

Second opinion

Second opinion

Share your X-rays, MRI or reports, and a doctor will give an independent opinion free of charge

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

After the consultation the doctor gives the price, which depends on the joint, the stage and the method

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Joint treatment in Polokwane: methods, steps and price

Regenerative joint treatment uses material from your own body: platelet-rich plasma from blood and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from a small sample of adipose tissue. For patients from Polokwane, it is an option to ease pain and inflammation and support the tissues inside the joint without an operation.

The puncture sites are small and covered with dressings, and no general anaesthetic is used. This is why joint treatment in Polokwane does not require crutches or a long rehabilitation period.

The price depends on how many joints are treated and which method is chosen. For patients from Polokwane, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at the consultation, which is free.

Joint treatment for people living in Polokwane: what this guide covers

Polokwane is the capital of Limpopo Province and the largest urban centre in South Africa north of Gauteng. People here walk, kneel, climb into bakkies, carry shopping and stand at work. All of this loads the knees and hips every day. When a knee starts to ache on stairs or a hip stiffens after sitting, the question is usually not whether to see a specialist but how to plan treatment around a busy life in the city.

This text explains joint treatment as it applies to Polokwane: conservative care, arthroscopy and joint replacement for the knee and hip. It covers how the seasons and the local way of life affect planning and recovery, what patients usually ask, which questions to put to the surgeon, and how a remote consultation works. The general information here does not replace an examination. A diagnosis and a plan are made only by a doctor after reviewing your scans and test results.

City Medical Centre works with patients from Polokwane through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You can send your questions, X-ray and MRI images and a short description of your symptoms from home, without leaving the city.

Polokwane, its climate and what it means for joint recovery

Polokwane sits on a plateau 1230 m above sea level. Despite lying on the Tropic of Capricorn, the climate is semiarid and tempered by that height. January averages around 21–22 °C, and July falls to about 11 °C. Rain comes mostly in summer, with December or sometimes January the wettest month, and winter is a pronounced dry spell. Average annual rainfall is 495 mm. Recent seasons have also been noticeably warmer than the long-term average.

For recovery this matters in practical ways. In the warm months, heat can increase swelling in a leg that has just been treated. Compression garments, if your surgeon prescribes them, feel heavier in warm weather, so plan lighter clothing, shade and regular rest with the leg raised. Avoid standing for long periods in direct sun, and drink enough water. Wound care is easier when the skin is clean and dry, so avoid dusty outdoor work until the surgeon allows it.

The dry winter is gentler for walking and for rehabilitation outdoors, but cool mornings can make stiff joints feel worse. Patients with arthritis often notice this. A warm-up before the first walk of the day, and warm clothing over the knee or hip, are sensible habits. Whatever the season, follow your surgeon's instructions on wound protection, swimming and sport.

Choosing the season for treatment in Polokwane

There is no single correct month. The choice depends on your diagnosis, how urgent the problem is and your obligations. With arthroscopy or joint replacement, many people in Polokwane prefer the cooler, dry winter. Lower temperatures make a compression garment easier to wear and reduce heat-related swelling, and the weather is stable enough for short walks that rehabilitation requires.

Summer has its own advantages for some patients, for example when work slows down or children are on school holidays and relatives can help at home. In that case plan for shade, ventilation, cool rooms and easy transport to physiotherapy sessions. The rainy season may make surfaces slippery outdoors, which matters when you use crutches or a walking frame.

If the condition is severe, for example intense pain at rest or at night, do not postpone the consultation for the sake of a convenient season. Delay can allow the joint to deteriorate. A coordinator can help you send your documents and discuss timing with the specialist as soon as you are ready.

Daily life, work and study: planning the time off

Polokwane is an administrative and commercial centre with offices, shops, schools and services, and also a place where many people work on their feet or drive long distances around the province. Desk workers can often plan an earlier return, depending on the procedure and on how the leg feels. Those whose work involves lifting, standing, climbing or driving need a more careful conversation with the surgeon about when these activities become possible.

Students at the satellite campuses of the Tshwane University of Technology, Capricorn TVET College and the University of South Africa, and at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus about 30 km east of the city, face a different question: how to manage lectures, walking between buildings and exams. A young patient with a sports injury might plan arthroscopy during a break in the academic calendar and ask the surgeon what support is needed for a few days of limited walking.

Practical preparation helps in every case. Arrange help with shopping and household tasks, set up a bedroom and bathroom that need few stairs, clear loose rugs and cables, and agree with your employer on a phased return. Do not name any dates for return to work or driving yourself; ask the surgeon to set them according to the type of operation and your progress.

Sport, outdoor life and the pool

Polokwane was a host city of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and sport remains part of local life, from football and rugby to running and recreational walking. The city also offers nature outings, such as the Polokwane Game Reserve, the Polokwane Bird and Reptile Park and the Moletzie Bird Sanctuary. For a person with a painful knee or hip, a walk along a bush path or a day among the animals can become hard work.

After treatment, return to sport is a staged process. Rehabilitation usually begins with simple movement and strengthening, then walking on level ground, and only later more demanding activity. Uneven bushveld paths, loose stones and long distances are among the last things to take up again. Ask the surgeon when it is safe to resume running, ball sports, cycling and long walks, and which activities should be replaced by low-impact ones.

Swimming and pools are popular in the warm months. Do not enter a pool, dam or river until the surgeon confirms that the wound has healed and that water is allowed. Water that is not clean can cause infection of a fresh wound. Your surgeon will give the exact conditions for your type of procedure.

Food culture, family events and body weight

Food in Polokwane is social. Braai gatherings, family celebrations, church events and weekend meals are central to community life, and traditional dishes made with maize meal and meat are part of many tables. Planning treatment does not mean giving up this life, but it does mean thinking ahead. Long evenings of standing at the fire, sitting on low chairs and carrying heavy dishes can be hard during recovery, so ask relatives to take over these tasks for a time.

Body weight is directly linked to joint load. Extra weight increases stress on the knees and hips and is one of the reasons for early wear. The World Health Organization describes obesity and overweight as a major health issue, and a doctor may discuss weight management as part of conservative care or as preparation for surgery. This is not a judgement; it is a practical step that can make treatment easier to tolerate.

Good nutrition during recovery supports healing. Include enough protein, vegetables, fruit and fluids, and keep alcohol to a minimum while taking prescribed medication. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or another chronic condition, tell the surgeon and the anaesthetist, because it affects planning.

What patients from Polokwane ask, and what to ask the surgeon

The questions are fairly consistent. Is my pain a sign of wear, an injury or inflammation? Do I need an operation at all, or can conservative care help? How long will I be limited at home and at work? Will I be able to return to my usual activities? Which type of anaesthesia is planned? These are sensible questions, and a good specialist answers them plainly.

Prepare a short list for the consultation. Ask which diagnosis the scans support and at which stage the joint is. Ask which non-surgical options were considered and why they are or are not suitable. Ask what the operation involves, what implants or techniques are used, what the rehabilitation plan is and who monitors it after you return to normal life in Polokwane. Ask what warning signs, such as increasing redness, fever, swelling or pain, should make you call at once.

Also ask what happens if the result is slower than expected, how follow-up is organised remotely and which scans or tests will be needed later. Write down the answers. Having the plan in writing helps your family support you.

Conservative care, arthroscopy, replacement: who is a candidate

Conservative care is usually the first step: a movement programme, physiotherapy, weight management, pain and anti-inflammatory medication prescribed by a doctor, supportive footwear and activity adjustment. For many patients with early changes this is enough to keep the joint working comfortably for a long time.

Arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure used for selected problems such as meniscus injuries or loose fragments in the knee. It is not a universal remedy for worn joints, and the surgeon will explain whether your findings fit. Joint replacement is considered when the joint is badly damaged, pain limits daily life and conservative measures no longer help. Contraindications in general terms include active infection, uncontrolled chronic illness, and a general condition that makes anaesthesia unsafe. Only a doctor can judge this individually.

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. In this approach, 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. Whether this applies to you depends on the stage shown by your imaging.

Arthritis: signs to recognise early

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 differs from wear-related pain, which usually worsens with load and eases with rest.

If you notice these signs, do not wait for the next season or the end of a work project. Inflammatory disease needs a correct diagnosis, often with blood tests and imaging, and the treatment may be quite different from that for wear. Keep a simple diary of when the pain occurs, how long morning stiffness lasts and which joints are involved, and share it with the doctor.

Cool winter mornings in Polokwane may make stiffness more noticeable, and that is a useful moment to record how long it lasts. This record helps the specialist distinguish inflammatory problems from mechanical ones.

How the remote consultation works from Polokwane

Polokwane has a population that the source gives as about 130,000 in 2011 for the city, and a large share of residents speak Sepedi, with Afrikaans, English and Venda also widely used. You can write to the coordinators in the language you are most comfortable with and ask for explanations to be repeated until everything is clear. Contact is free and open around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram.

The usual order is simple. You send a short description of the problem, your age, chronic conditions and medications, and photos of your reports, X-rays or MRI. The coordinator organises a review by a specialist, who may ask for more information. You then receive an assessment of the likely options, including whether conservative care, arthroscopy, SVF therapy or replacement is worth discussing, and the questions you should clarify. The decision remains yours.

Online consultation does not replace a physical examination, and it is not a way to start treatment without proper assessment. It helps you understand your situation, prepare questions and decide calmly, from your own home in Polokwane and with your family nearby.

Can I have a consultation about knee or hip pain from Polokwane?

Yes. The online consultation is free. Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any time, since they are available around the clock (24/7), and send your scans and a short description of your symptoms.

What documents should I prepare?

Prepare X-ray and MRI images, any previous medical reports, a list of medicines and chronic conditions, and notes on when the pain occurs. A short diary of morning stiffness and night pain is useful.

How do I know whether it is 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 must confirm the diagnosis.

Is surgery always needed?

No. Many people start with conservative care, such as exercise, physiotherapy, weight management and medication. Surgery is considered when these steps no longer help and the joint is clearly damaged.

What is SVF therapy and who may consider it?

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. A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and no stitches are needed. At later stages surgery is usually required.

Which season is better for treatment in Polokwane?

It depends on your condition and obligations. The dry, cooler winter is more comfortable for compression garments and gentle walking, while summer heat can increase swelling. Do not delay a consultation for the sake of the season if symptoms are severe.

How should I plan work and study around treatment?

Discuss your job or timetable with the surgeon. Desk work and physical work have different demands, and students need to think about walking between buildings. Ask the surgeon for specific dates and activities, and arrange help at home before treatment.

When can I swim or return to sport?

Only when the surgeon confirms it. Avoid pools, dams and rivers until the wound has healed and water contact is permitted. Return to sport is staged, from simple movement to walking on level ground and then to more demanding activity.

Does body weight matter for my joints?

Yes. Extra weight adds load to the knees and hips. The World Health Organization treats obesity and overweight as a significant health issue, and your doctor may include weight management in your plan.