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Cell Therapy for Joints in Uyo

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?

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: 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

A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. There is no need for stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

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

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The prepared material is injected straight into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps to place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor remains in contact afterwards and watches 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

Nothing from donors and nothing synthetic — only your own blood and adipose tissue

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

Usually it is selected where joint changes are more significant and a longer effect is the aim.

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 joint receives an injection of plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, separated from a small amount of your blood. It helps soothe inflammation and creates better conditions for the tissues to repair.

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

It works either as a stand-alone course of injections or alongside 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 can be treated; the doctor settles the joint, the method and the injection count after checking your scans

  • KneeKneeCartilage wear, meniscus issues, pain after walking and on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWorn joint and surrounding tendons, pain when lifting the arm
  • ElbowElbowWear of the joint surfaces, pain after overuse or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPain and stiffness affecting the small finger and wrist joints
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your natural joint instead of replacing it is our goal — no surgery involved

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Nothing from donors and nothing synthetic — only your own blood and adipose tissue

No crutches

No crutches

Local anaesthetic and punctures in place of incisions mean no long 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

Contact continues after the procedure — we track the result, not just the injection itself

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 Uyo

Joint pain does not always mean surgery. In Uyo, 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.

It starts with a consultation: the doctor examines the joint and reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Then a small blood sample and an adipose tissue sample are taken, processed in a centrifuge and injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. For patients from Uyo, everything is done in one day.

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

Uyo and what its residents ask about knee and hip care

Uyo is the capital of Akwa Ibom State in the South South of Nigeria, and it has held that role since 23 September 1987, when the state was created from the former Cross River State. According to the 2006 Nigerian Census, the population of Uyo (including Itu) is 427,873, while the greater urban area, including Uruan, has a population of 554,906. The population of Uyo is put at 1,393,000 as at 2024. A city of this size has many people who walk, stand, climb stairs and carry loads every day, so joint pain is a practical problem for them and not an abstract one.

People from Uyo usually start with simple questions. Is the pain in my knee a wearing-down problem or an inflammatory one? Can I still work if I wait? Will injections, physiotherapy or an arthroscopy be enough, or is a joint replacement the realistic option? City Medical Centre answers these questions in a free online consultation that you can start from home in Uyo. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can write when it suits your day.

This text is written for people in Uyo who want to understand the main routes of joint treatment before speaking to a surgeon: conservative care, arthroscopy of the knee and joint replacement of the knee or hip. It is general information. It does not replace an examination, and the final plan is always set by the treating specialist after reviewing your images and history.

Climate of Uyo and its effect on recovery

The climate of Uyo shapes any plan for joint treatment. With warm, cloudy wet seasons and hot, largely cloudy dry seasons, Uyo has a year-round oppressive environment, with temperatures ranging from 21 °C (70 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F). Humidity ranges from 67 to 88%. There is no cold season that gives the body a rest from heat, so the question is not whether it will be warm during recovery but how to manage the warmth.

Heat and humidity matter after a knee or hip procedure because swelling around a joint tends to feel worse when the body is warm and the legs hang down for long periods. Compression garments, if your surgeon prescribes them, can feel heavy in humid air. Choose breathable cotton layers underneath, change them often and keep the skin dry, because damp skin under a garment or dressing is uncomfortable and can irritate the area. Ask the surgeon exactly how long the garment or support is to be worn and follow that instruction, not the advice of friends.

Cloudy skies do not remove the need for sun care. Healing skin around a scar should be protected from direct sunlight once the dressing allows, with loose clothing over the area. Rain is also a practical factor: wet tiles and muddy paths in the rainy months are a real hazard for a person using crutches or a walking frame, so plan the route inside and around your home before the procedure, not after it.

Daily life in Uyo: work, study and family during treatment

Uyo is an administrative and educational city. It is the seat of the state government, and the University of Uyo has its main campus in Nwaniba, with satellites on Ikpa Road. The city has 244 primary schools, 7 secondary schools, 6 special education centres and 5 tertiary institutions. This means that many local patients work in offices, classrooms and public service, or are parents who manage school routines, and each of these lives has its own demands on the knees and hips.

A teacher who stands at a board for hours, an office worker who sits for long periods, a trader who lifts goods and a student who climbs stairs between lecture halls will each need a different return plan. When you speak to the surgeon, describe your real day in detail: how many hours you stand, whether you drive, how many steps you climb at home and at work. A good plan is built around these details.

Family matters too. In many households in Uyo, relatives are close at hand and willing to help, which is a real advantage in the first days after a procedure. Agree in advance who will cook, who will help with washing and dressing, and who will take children to school. A short, honest conversation at home before treatment prevents stress later and helps you keep to the rest the surgeon asks for.

Choosing the season for treatment in Uyo

Because Uyo is warm all year, the season is not a question of cold against heat but of rain against drier, hotter spells. In the wet season, humidity and rain make movement outdoors harder, and wet floors increase the risk of a slip. In the hot dry season, the main concern is the heat that can increase swelling and tiredness, especially in the afternoon.

Neither season is a barrier in itself. What matters more is your own calendar. If you work at a university or in a school, ask whether a break in the academic year suits your recovery. If you have a family event, a religious celebration or a work deadline coming, do not set the date of an elective procedure right before it. Surgeons usually prefer to plan joint replacement when you can follow the rehabilitation programme without interruption.

Raise the question of timing during the online consultation. A coordinator can pass your preferred period to the medical team so that the specialist can tell you whether it is realistic. If your pain is severe or your mobility is dropping quickly, the medical need will take priority over convenience, and the surgeon will say so.

Conservative care, arthroscopy and replacement: how the routes differ

Joint treatment does not begin with the operating theatre. For many people with knee or hip pain, the first step is conservative care: a clear diagnosis, adjusted activity, weight management, physiotherapy, supportive devices and medicines chosen by the doctor. Excess weight loads the knees and hips, which is why the WHO information on obesity and overweight is a useful general reference for anyone considering their long-term joint health.

Arthroscopy is a keyhole technique used mainly for the knee in selected situations, for example to deal with certain damage inside the joint that has been confirmed on imaging. It is not a universal solution for every painful knee, and a surgeon will explain whether it fits your findings. Joint replacement is considered when the joint is badly damaged and pain and limited movement no longer respond to other measures.

For the hip there is also a biological approach in early disease. 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 route is suitable for you depends on the stage of your condition, which only imaging and examination can establish.

Arthritis or wear: signs worth discussing with a doctor

Residents of Uyo often describe knee or hip pain simply as “joint pain”, but the cause matters for treatment. 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 is different from pain that appears mainly with walking and eases with rest, which is more typical of mechanical wear. The two situations can look similar to the patient and need different approaches. An inflamed joint may need a physician or rheumatologist to treat the underlying condition before any surgical question is even raised.

If you notice a hot, swollen joint, a fever together with joint pain, or sudden inability to put weight on a leg, do not wait for an online appointment. Seek urgent in-person medical care in Uyo. The online consultation is meant for planning, a second opinion and the review of your results, not for emergencies.

Food, habits and sport in Uyo during recovery

Food is part of social life in Uyo, and meals are often shared with family and guests. During recovery, sitting at a table for a long time with the leg bent can be uncomfortable, so choose a seat that allows you to stretch the leg and change position. Ask relatives to bring food to you rather than getting up repeatedly in the first days.

Good nutrition supports healing in general terms: enough protein, vegetables and fruit, and plenty of water in the warm climate. Heavy, very salty or very fatty meals can leave you feeling sluggish, and extra body weight puts extra load on a healing joint, so moderation helps. If you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a kidney condition, discuss your diet with your doctor before and after the procedure.

Sport has a place in the city, which has the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, and many people in Uyo follow or play football. Your return to sport should be gradual and agreed with the surgeon. Running, jumping and contact games come later than walking and gentle exercise, and swimming or pool use should only start when the surgeon confirms that the wound has healed. Do not return to play because the pain has eased; return when the specialist says the joint is ready.

Questions to ask the surgeon and who is a candidate

Prepare your questions in writing before the consultation. Useful ones include: What exactly is the diagnosis in my knee or hip, and how advanced is it? Which options suit my stage: conservative care, arthroscopy, a biological method or replacement? What are the possible complications for someone with my health conditions? What type of anaesthesia is planned? How long will I stay under supervision? What will rehabilitation involve, and who will guide it at home in Uyo?

Candidates for surgery are generally people whose joint damage is confirmed on imaging and whose symptoms limit daily life despite sensible conservative treatment. Contraindications are assessed individually. In general terms, an active infection, uncontrolled chronic illness, serious heart or lung problems, or unmanaged diabetes may require delay or a different plan. Smoking and excess weight can also affect healing, and the doctor may advise changes first.

Bring your history to the consultation: previous injuries, earlier operations, current medicines, allergies and results of any scans or blood tests. The more complete the file, the more precise the answer will be. Ask also how the team will stay in contact after the procedure, so that you know where to turn if a problem appears once you are back in your routine.

How the remote consultation works from Uyo

The process starts with a message to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram. They are available around the clock (24/7), so you can write in the evening after work or early in the morning before classes. You describe your complaint, send photographs of existing scans and reports, and list your medicines and past illnesses.

The medical team then reviews the material and arranges a free online consultation. You can take part from home or from your workplace, using a phone or computer with a stable connection. A good connection matters, so choose a quiet room and keep your documents next to you. During the conversation the specialist may ask you to show how you walk, bend the knee or move the hip, which can be done on camera.

After the consultation you receive an explanation of the likely options and what further tests would be needed. You are not obliged to decide at once. Take time, discuss the plan with your family and return with further questions. The consultation helps you understand your situation, and the decision remains yours.

Can I start the consultation from Uyo without leaving home?

Yes. The first consultation is free and online. Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, send your scans and notes, and the medical team will arrange a video conversation. Coordinators answer around the clock (24/7).

Does the warm and humid climate of Uyo affect healing?

It can affect comfort. Temperatures in Uyo range from 21 °C (70 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F), and humidity from 67 to 88%. Warmth may make swelling and compression garments feel heavier, so wear breathable layers, keep the skin dry and follow the surgeon's instructions on garments and wound care.

Is surgery always needed for knee or hip pain?

No. Many people begin with conservative care such as physiotherapy, weight management and medicines chosen by a doctor. Arthroscopy and joint replacement are considered when imaging and symptoms show that other measures are not enough. Only an examination can show which route fits you.

What is SVF therapy and who might it suit?

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.

How can I tell arthritis from ordinary wear of a joint?

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. A doctor must confirm the cause.

When can I go back to work in Uyo after joint treatment?

It depends on the procedure and your job. A desk job usually allows an earlier return than work that needs long standing, lifting or climbing. Describe your work in detail to the surgeon and agree a return plan before the procedure, not after it.

Can I play football or exercise after treatment?

Yes, but gradually and only when the surgeon agrees. Walking and gentle exercise come first. Running, jumping and contact games come later, and swimming only after the wound has healed. Pain easing is not a sufficient sign that the joint is ready.

Who should not have an elective joint operation yet?

People with an active infection, uncontrolled diabetes, unstable heart or lung disease or other unmanaged conditions may need to postpone or change the plan. The specialist decides this individually after reviewing your health history and test results.

What should I send before the online consultation?

Send existing scans such as X-rays or MRI, reports, a list of medicines and allergies, notes on earlier injuries or operations, and a short description of when the pain started and what makes it better or worse. A complete file makes the discussion more precise.