SVF and PRP Joint Therapy in Zagreb
Cell therapy (SVF) and platelet-rich plasma for knee, hip and shoulder joints and beyond, plus a free look at your scans first
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
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.
It is an option for people with joint pain who want to avoid or postpone surgery, or who have been told that joint replacement is the only choice. The earlier the stage of the condition, the better the chance of a lasting effect — the doctor assesses this from your scans.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
From large joints to small ones: the doctor picks the joint, the technique and the injection count after studying your scans
Elbow
Joint surface wear and pain after overload or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
Knee
Pain climbing stairs or after walking, cartilage wear, meniscus trouble
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain on lifting the arm, wear of the joint and nearby tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
Processing a small sample of adipose tissue yields the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a blend of cells that help tissue repair. The doctor combines it with your plasma and injects it into the problem joint.
It is usually chosen when the changes in the joint are more pronounced and a longer-lasting effect is the goal.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
A little of your blood is enough to separate platelet-rich plasma full of growth factors. Injected into the joint, it calms inflammation and improves conditions for tissue repair.
It can be given as its own course of injections or combined with SVF.
How the procedure goes: step by step
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 PRP
Blood is drawn from a vein — only a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is made from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
Spinning the sample in a centrifuge separates it into layers, after which the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The material, once prepared, is injected directly into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
No stay in hospital and no crutches are needed. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure to see how the joint responds.
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 PRP
Blood is drawn from a vein — only a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is made from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
Spinning the sample in a centrifuge separates it into layers, after which the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The material, once prepared, is injected directly into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
No stay in hospital and no crutches are needed. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure to see how the joint responds.
Follow-up visits
At follow-up visits the doctor sees how the joint is responding and adjusts the plan: pain usually eases in the first month, mobility improves over roughly three months, and the full effect develops over about six months.
Conditions we treat
Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of your scans
What we work with
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions
Contraindications
Cancer
Pregnancy
Blood clotting disorders
Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
Cancer
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Serious heart, kidney or liver disease
Temporary contraindications: having a fever, a cold or flu, or inflamed skin over the joint to be treated
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
Going home the same day is the norm, and normal daily activity usually resumes within a day or two; small dressings protect the puncture sites. The joint can ache a little more during the first week — this is expected. Pain tends to ease over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. The duration varies from person to person with the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors, so a fixed result cannot be promised. The doctor gives individual guidance on exercise and load for the first weeks.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery, aimed at keeping your own joint instead of replacing it
Your own tissue
Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials — nothing donor-derived or synthetic
No crutches
No incisions — just punctures under local anaesthetic, with no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
A doctor will independently assess your X-rays, MRI or reports free of charge once you send them
Support after the procedure
After the procedure we keep in touch and follow the result, not only the day of the injection
Joint treatment prices
Pricing depends on the joint, the condition's stage and the method; you learn it from the doctor after the consultation
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is the difference between PRP and SVF?
The difference: PRP is plasma rich in platelets, obtained from your blood, and SVF is a cell fraction isolated from a little of your adipose tissue. Their mechanisms differ, so they are often combined for a stronger regenerative effect.
Is the treatment safe?
Your own tissue is used in both methods, which keeps the risk of rejection or an allergic reaction very low. Any injection may cause temporary pain, swelling or bruising; infection is rare. The doctor explains your individual risks at the consultation.
How long does the effect last?
Results vary. The effect of PRP often holds for several months to about a year; SVF can keep working longer. How long it lasts depends on the stage of the condition and your own body — no one can promise a fixed result.
Who should not have the procedure?
The procedure is not performed in people with cancer, acute infections or blood clotting disorders, in pregnancy, or during a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. The doctor checks for this at the consultation.
Is non-surgical treatment possible for hip osteoarthritis (coxarthrosis)?
PRP or SVF injections, combined with exercise therapy and physiotherapy, can reduce pain and improve movement at early stages. If damage to the joint is already severe, replacement may be more realistic — the doctor gives an honest answer after seeing your scans.
Can avascular necrosis of the hip be treated?
When the condition is at an early stage (1–2), SVF therapy may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay a joint replacement; at later stages surgery is usually required.
Why try to avoid joint replacement?
Replacement means major surgery, a long rehabilitation, risks including infection and implants that may eventually have to be redone. When changes are early or moderate, trying to preserve your own joint first often makes sense.
Can I get a second opinion on my scans?
Yes. Send your X-rays, MRI, CT or medical reports, and a doctor will review them free of charge and tell you whether the procedure could suit you and what else may be needed.
How soon can I return to normal life?
Most people return within a day or two. There is no long rehabilitation and no need for crutches; the doctor gives advice on load and exercise for the first weeks.
Does the treatment help with shoulder pain?
The doctor first establishes what is causing the pain: PRP is used for shoulder joint and rotator cuff problems, and SVF may be considered for more advanced arthritis of the shoulder. Suitability depends on that cause.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Joint treatment in Zagreb: methods, steps and price
Knee problems are the most familiar reason to seek help: cartilage wear, meniscus damage, pain on stairs and after walking. Patients from Zagreb with hip, shoulder, ankle, elbow or wrist pain follow the same path — scan review, examination and a clear plan.
Most patients from Zagreb go home the same day and return to normal daily activity within a day or two. During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month.
How much does joint treatment cost in Zagreb? The answer comes after the doctor has seen your scans and examined the joint: PRP, SVF or a combination are priced differently. The first consultation is free. Send a request or message us in any messenger.
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