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Non-Surgical Joint Treatment in Rustenburg

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?

Regenerative care for joints is based on your own material. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is obtained from blood, and the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) from a small amount of adipose tissue; the doctor then injects it into the affected joint to reduce pain and inflammation and to support its internal tissues.

  • 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

Whether this treatment is right for you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a scan review

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: skin inflammation over the joint to be treated, a fever, a cold or flu

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

The doctor assesses the joint in person and reviews X-rays, MRI or ultrasound, then decides if you are a candidate for the procedure. Scans you have can be sent 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

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 goes into a centrifuge, where it separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed with your platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The finished material is injected into the affected joint itself, guided by ultrasound so that it lands precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

The procedure needs no crutches or hospital stay. Afterwards the doctor remains in touch and follows the joint's response.

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

Just your blood and your adipose tissue; donor and synthetic materials are not used

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

The stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a combination of cells involved in tissue repair — is isolated by processing a small sample of your adipose tissue. It is combined with your plasma and injected into the joint that needs treatment.

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

This option is usually picked for more advanced changes in the joint, when the goal is an effect that lasts longer.

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

Your blood, in a small amount, is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors. This plasma is injected into the joint to help calm inflammation and support tissue repair.

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

It can be used on its own as a course 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

Any joint, large or small — once the scans are reviewed, the doctor decides on the joint, the method and the number of injections

  • KneeKneeCartilage wear, meniscus issues, pain after walking and on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowSports strain or overuse pain and worn-down joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsSmall joints of the wrist and fingers that are stiff and sore
  • 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

Just your blood and your adipose tissue; donor and synthetic materials are not used

No crutches

No crutches

Done through punctures instead of incisions, under local anaesthetic, without long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Send X-rays, MRI or medical reports for an independent assessment by a doctor at no cost

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We remain in contact after the procedure and track the result, not just the injection day

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

Pricing depends on the joint, the condition's stage and the method; you learn it from the doctor 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 Rustenburg

The method relies on your own tissue only, so there is no donor or synthetic material. Plasma is prepared from a small blood sample, and SVF from about 30 ml of adipose tissue taken through a puncture. This is how non-surgical joint treatment works for everyone in Rustenburg.

Ultrasound guidance helps place the material exactly where it is needed. For patients from Rustenburg, this is one of the steps that make an injection into the knee, hip or shoulder more precise.

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

Joint problems in Rustenburg: why the question comes up so often

Rustenburg lies at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range. It is the most populous city in North West province: 549,575 people in 2011 and 626,522 in the 2016 census. A city of this size has many working adults, and knee and hip complaints are common among them. Patients here usually ask the same things. Can the joint be treated without an operation? When is arthroscopy reasonable? How long can a hip or knee replacement be postponed? How will recovery fit around work and family?

The local economy shapes these questions. Mining makes up about half of Rustenburg's economy, with 41 platinum mines in the area, and retail and finance also employ many people. Standing shifts, lifting, climbing, kneeling and long hours on the feet all load the knees and hips. Office and shop workers, drivers and teachers have their own patterns of strain. A good plan starts with a clear description of what your day actually demands from the joint.

City Medical Centre works with patients from Rustenburg through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You describe the pain, your daily load and your goals, and the medical team helps you understand which options are realistic: conservative care, arthroscopy or joint replacement. This text gives general guidance only. It does not replace an examination and a decision by the treating surgeon.

Climate of Rustenburg and its effect on recovery

Rustenburg has a humid subtropical climate with a relatively large difference between day and night temperatures because of its elevation. Summers, from December to February, are very warm, though the altitude keeps them milder than many expect. Winters, from June to August, are mild, with occasional frost at night. Rain falls mainly in summer. Each season affects recovery after joint treatment in a different way.

In summer, heat is the main concern. Swelling around a knee or hip often increases in warm weather, especially after long sitting or standing. Compression garments can feel uncomfortable in the heat, so ask your surgeon how to wear them, which fabrics are suitable and how to keep the skin dry and clean. Direct sun on a healing scar should be avoided, and light, loose clothing helps. Drink enough fluids and plan walks for the cooler parts of the day.

In winter, cold nights and early mornings can make joints feel stiffer, and this is easy to confuse with a problem. Warm clothing, gentle movement before getting up and a warm room help. Frosty mornings and wet summer surfaces also raise the risk of slipping, which matters when you walk with crutches or a stick. Choose footwear with a good grip and keep floors at home dry and free of loose rugs.

Dust, wind and changes of season can irritate the skin and the dressing area. Keep the wound protected until the surgeon says it is fully healed. Follow the surgeon's instructions on any open water, including a pool or a bath, and do not decide this on your own.

Work in Rustenburg: planning absence and return

Mining is responsible for more than 65% of local GDP and about half of all direct jobs in Rustenburg, followed by finance and retail. For a miner, a technician or someone who works on foot all day, return to work depends on the type of tasks. Desk work, driving, supervising and heavy manual duties each have a different timeline, and your surgeon should set it for your case after the procedure.

Before treatment, talk to your employer or occupational health contact. Ask whether lighter duties or a gradual return are possible. Arthroscopy, joint replacement and conservative programmes put different demands on the body, and the length of absence differs accordingly. Do not return to heavy lifting, long ladders or underground conditions until the surgeon has confirmed that the joint can take the load.

Self-employed people and shop staff in Rustenburg's retail sector face a different problem: no one covers the shift. If you run a small business, arrange cover in advance for the first weeks, so you are not tempted to stand too long too early. Rushing back is one of the most common reasons for prolonged swelling and pain.

In the online consultation, bring a short description of your working day: how many hours you stand, how often you climb stairs or kneel, what you lift and how you get to work. This helps the team to discuss realistic expectations and the right questions for the surgeon.

Sport and active life in Rustenburg

Rustenburg has a strong sporting life. It was a host city of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, and Olympia Park hosted some games of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The city has a well-known judo club, two swimming clubs, a cricket ground, a skydiving club and a golf club with a park run. Many residents play or follow sport, so the question 'when can I return?' is practical rather than abstract.

Different sports load the knee and hip differently. Judo, football, rugby and cricket involve twisting, sudden stops and contact, which are hard on the knee ligaments and meniscus. Golf asks for rotation through the hip and knee. Swimming and walking are gentler and are often the first activities that are allowed to return, but only when the surgeon has confirmed that the wounds are healed. Skydiving and other impact activities need a particularly careful, individual decision after joint treatment.

Ask your surgeon three things: which sport you may do during recovery, which movements to avoid and how to build up the load. If you have had an arthroscopy, the timeline differs from that after a joint replacement. After replacement the surgeon will usually discuss low-impact activity in the long term, and contact sports need a frank talk about the implant.

Recreational walkers and park run participants should also ask about pace and surface. Gradual progress is safer than a quick return, and pain or swelling after exercise is a signal to slow down and contact your doctor.

Conservative treatment and when arthritis is suspected

Many people from Rustenburg start with conservative care: assessment of the joint, an exercise programme, weight management, activity changes and medication chosen by a doctor. Excess body weight puts extra load on the knees and hips, and the WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight is a useful general reference for this link. Conservative care is not a lesser option. For many patients it relieves symptoms and delays more invasive steps.

It is important to tell ordinary wear from inflammatory disease. 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 these signs sound familiar, the joint needs a proper diagnosis, because the treatment depends on the cause.

For hip problems related to blood supply to the femoral head, there is a further option. 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. 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 approach suits you depends on imaging, the stage and your general health. Send your scans and reports to the coordinators during the online consultation, so the specialists can tell you honestly whether it is relevant or whether another route is better.

Arthroscopy and joint replacement: how to think about the choice

Arthroscopy is a keyhole procedure used to look inside the joint and treat certain problems, such as some meniscus tears or loose fragments. It is not a universal remedy for every painful knee. If the cartilage is widely worn, the benefit may be limited, and your surgeon should explain this plainly.

Joint replacement is considered when pain, stiffness and loss of function persist despite conservative care and affect sleep, walking and work. For many patients in Rustenburg the turning point is practical: they can no longer walk through a shift, climb stairs at home or stand for family events. The decision is made together with the surgeon, based on examination, imaging and your own priorities.

General candidates for surgery are adults with clear structural damage and symptoms that do not respond to other measures. Contraindications in general terms include active infection, uncontrolled chronic illness, poor skin condition over the joint and some heart or blood conditions that need to be stabilised first. Only a doctor can judge this after reviewing your records.

Prepare your questions before the consultation: what exactly is wrong with my joint, what are the alternatives, what does the procedure involve, which anaesthesia is planned, how long will I stay in hospital, what will recovery look like and what are the possible complications? Write the answers down and keep them with your documents.

Daily life, family and city logistics during recovery

Rustenburg is a city of many households, schools and colleges, and recovery has to fit into that life. Plan the home before treatment: a bed at a comfortable height, a chair with arms, a clear path to the bathroom and good lighting at night. Ask family members to help in the first days with shopping, cooking and carrying, so you do not strain the joint.

Family events and gatherings are an important part of life, and it is natural to want to attend them. Sitting for long periods at a table can increase swelling, so choose a seat where you can stretch the leg and stand up easily. Keep meals balanced and light on the stomach after anaesthesia, drink enough water, and ask your doctor about any change in diet or medication.

The city is working on its public transport, including bus rapid transit lanes, walkways and stations. In the early recovery period, however, crowded buses and long walks are tiring and risky on crutches. Arrange rides with relatives or friends for follow-up appointments, and ask the surgeon when you may drive again.

Students and teachers, who are numerous in a city with several colleges and a university hub, should agree on a plan with their institution: lecture seating, access to ramps and lifts, and permission to rest and elevate the leg. Small arrangements like these make recovery calmer and reduce the temptation to overdo it.

How the remote consultation works from Rustenburg

The first step is free and is held online. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they are available 24/7. Describe your complaint: which joint, since when, what makes it worse, what treatment you have tried and what your work and sport are. Add scans, X-rays, MRI reports and recent test results if you have them.

The medical team reviews the material and explains the possible routes: continued conservative care, a procedure such as arthroscopy, or joint replacement, and, where relevant, an option such as SVF therapy for early-stage hip problems. You can ask about anaesthesia, hospital stay, recovery and rehabilitation, and the specialists give general explanations based on your data. A final decision always follows a medical assessment.

After the consultation you have time to think. You may discuss the plan with your family, your employer and your local doctor in Rustenburg. Take your time, compare the information and come back with new questions. Keep a folder with your reports, a list of medicines and any allergies, so the next conversation is faster.

Good follow-up matters as well. After treatment you can stay in touch with the coordinators about recovery questions, and your local doctor can monitor the wound and general condition. If you notice increasing pain, fever, redness or swelling, contact a doctor without delay.

Can knee or hip pain be treated without surgery for people living in Rustenburg?

Often the first step is conservative care: a diagnosis, an exercise programme, weight control, adjusting the load at work and in sport, and medication chosen by a doctor. Whether this is enough depends on the cause and the stage. Send your scans in the online consultation and the specialists will explain the options.

Which signs suggest arthritis rather than 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. Such signs need a proper medical diagnosis.

Is there an option to 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. Whether it suits you is decided after reviewing your imaging and records.

How is the SVF procedure carried out?

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 is the best season in Rustenburg for treatment?

Summers from December to February are very warm and swelling can feel worse in heat, while winters from June to August are mild with occasional night frost and stiffer mornings. Either season can work with good planning. Discuss compression garments, sun protection and non-slip footwear with your surgeon.

When can I go back to work in a physical job?

This depends on the procedure, the type of work and how the joint heals. Desk work and heavy manual or mining-related duties have different timelines, and only your surgeon can set the date. Ask about lighter duties and a gradual return before treatment.

Can I keep swimming, playing golf or practising judo?

Many activities can return gradually, but the order matters. Walking and swimming are often introduced earlier, once wounds are healed and the surgeon agrees. Golf, judo, football and impact sports need a specific discussion about your joint and the type of treatment you have had.

Who can be considered for joint replacement, and who cannot?

Adults with clear joint damage and persistent symptoms that did not respond to other care are usually considered. Active infection, uncontrolled chronic illness or skin problems over the joint may be reasons to wait or to choose another route. Only a doctor can decide after examining you and reviewing your tests.

How do I start a consultation from Rustenburg?

Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any time, since they are available around the clock. The first online consultation is free. Prepare a short description of your complaint, your treatment so far, your job and sport, and attach scans and reports if available.