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Osteoarthritis Treatment in Addis Ababa

PRP and SVF cell therapy for the knee, hip and other arthritic joints, plus a free X-ray or MRI review to see which stage you are at

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 osteoarthritis
(arthrosis)?

With osteoarthritis (arthrosis), the cartilage that lines a joint gradually wears away over time. This cartilage is the joint's shock absorber, and when it is lost the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and limited mobility. The condition is degenerative, not inflammatory, although it can flare up with swelling.

  • 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

Your scans are reviewed and you are examined — then a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you

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 treated joint, a cold or flu, fever

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-rays, MRI or ultrasound let the doctor decide if the procedure is suitable. Existing scans can be sent in advance of the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A small blood sample is taken from a vein, and platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later made from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

After spinning in a centrifuge, the sample forms layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated from them 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 into the affected joint and placed precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows 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

Your own blood and adipose tissue only; donor and synthetic material are not used

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

Processing a small portion of your adipose tissue yields the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a cell mix involved in tissue repair. The doctor combines it with your own plasma and injects it into the affected joint.

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

Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down cartilage wear.

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

A small blood sample provides plasma rich in platelets and growth factors; this is injected into the joint to help ease inflammation and create better conditions for the tissue to repair.

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

For mild osteoarthritis it is often used alone, and with SVF when the effect needs to be stronger.

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

Treatment for both large and small joints — your scans guide the doctor's choice of joint, method and number of injections

  • KneeKneeCartilage wearing down, meniscus problems, pain on stairs and after a walk
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain as the arm goes up, wear in the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowWear of joint surfaces, pain after heavy use or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsSmall joints of the fingers and wrist: pain and stiffness
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Your own joint is kept, not replaced — we treat without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Your own blood and adipose tissue only; donor and synthetic material are not used

No crutches

No crutches

Done through punctures under local anaesthetic, without incisions or long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We keep in contact after the procedure and monitor the result, rather than stopping 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

Osteoarthritis treatment prices

The cost depends on the joint, the stage of osteoarthritis and the method, so the doctor names it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis treatment in Addis Ababa: what you should know

Cartilage works as a shock absorber. When it thins, the bones start to rub against each other, and the joint becomes painful and less mobile. Osteoarthritis in Addis Ababa is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling happen.

Treatment starts with a consultation and a review of your X-rays or MRI to assess the stage. Then blood and a small adipose tissue sample are taken, processed in a centrifuge and injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. For patients from Addis Ababa, it is done in one day.

Patients from Addis Ababa can start with a free review of their scans: the doctor assesses the stage of osteoarthritis and tells you whether non-surgical treatment makes sense. The price is named at the consultation.

Osteoarthritis and everyday life in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital and largest city of Ethiopia, with an estimated 6,287,000 inhabitants as of 2025. It sits in the Ethiopian Highlands at an elevation of 2,355 metres, which makes it the highest capital in Africa. The city lies at the foot of Mount Entoto and rises to over 3,000 metres in the Entoto Mountains to the north. For a person with painful knees or hips, this means that a normal day often includes slopes, steps, uneven pavements and long walks between bus stops, light rail stations and the blue and white taxis that many residents use.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. In a city where so much of daily life happens on foot, it often shows itself first as pain on stairs, discomfort after standing in a queue, or a stiff joint after a long meeting. Many people in Addis Ababa put up with these signs for years because they seem like a normal price of an active, busy life. A remote consultation with City Medical Centre is a way to find out calmly whether your symptoms fit osteoarthritis, whether another joint disease is more likely, and whether a cell-based approach such as SVF therapy deserves discussion at all.

The consultation is free and takes place online, so you stay in your own city, among your own family and routines. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on WhatsApp and Telegram, which suits people who work long days or who can only write in the evening. This text explains how the procedure fits into the real rhythm of Addis Ababa: its weather, its work culture, its running tradition and its family life.

Climate of Addis Ababa and what it means for joints and recovery

Addis Ababa has a subtropical highland climate. Because the city is close to the Equator and high above sea level, temperatures are very constant from month to month, and no month has a mean temperature above 22 °C. The year is divided by rainfall rather than by heat. The dry season runs from mid-November to January, with daily maximum temperatures usually not above 23 °C and night-time minimums of 5 °C to 10 °C that can drop to freezing. A short rainy season follows from February to May, and the long wet season lasts from June to mid-September, the coldest and cloudiest time of year, with frequent rain and hail.

Many people with osteoarthritis say that cold and damp make their joints feel stiffer. In Addis Ababa the cold mornings of the dry season and the chilly wet days of summer can both be uncomfortable. During recovery after the procedure, general common sense applies: dress in warm layers so the knees, hips or hands are not chilled, wear dry shoes with a stable sole on wet pavements, and be careful on slippery ground after rain or hail, because a fall during recovery is the last thing you need. Keep the puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh clean and dry, and follow the wound care instructions you receive.

The mild temperatures have an advantage. Heat and sweating, which complicate recovery in many hot cities, are rarely a problem here, so loose, comfortable clothing and layers are usually enough. Pools and sea bathing are not a major topic for most residents, but if you swim in a hotel or sports pool, ask your surgeon when it is acceptable to return to the water, because the puncture area must heal first. Sun exposure on the puncture area and on the treated joint should be sensible, and a cap or hat is a matter of comfort rather than medical necessity.

What the procedure involves, step by step

SVF therapy starts with a small amount of your own fat tissue. 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. The tissue is then processed to obtain the cell fraction that is used for the treatment of the joint. Because the material is your own, the approach is different from a pharmacy medication, and your surgeon should explain exactly what is collected, how it is prepared and how it is placed into or around the affected joint.

For a resident of Addis Ababa the practical meaning of this description is simple: the procedure is minimally invasive in its collection stage and uses local anaesthesia, which is a different conversation from major joint surgery. Still, it is a medical procedure, and the remote consultation exists so that you can ask every question before any decision. Our coordinators can explain the steps in plain language and send your questions to the medical team.

Do not expect a single universal protocol. The details depend on which joint is affected, on the findings of your imaging and on your general health. A responsible specialist will tell you what is realistic, what is uncertain, and when another treatment path is more sensible.

Timeline of the result and why osteoarthritis needs a plan

Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result forms over about six months and can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. This is the most honest way to think about it: SVF therapy is one element in a longer programme that may include movement, strengthening, weight management, daily habits and regular follow-up.

This timeline matters for people in Addis Ababa who plan around work deadlines, school terms, weddings, religious holidays and family gatherings. The city is a melting pot of communities from all regions of Ethiopia, and its residents are Orthodox, Muslim and Protestant, among others, so the calendar of celebrations is full and varies from family to family. Because the first changes are expected after 2–3 weeks and the stable result takes about six months, it makes no sense to schedule the procedure for the week before a major event and expect to dance, stand for hours or climb stairs with ease. Choose a period when you can protect the first weeks and allow the joint time to respond.

Be patient with your own body. Some people feel an early improvement and then overdo activity; others notice little at first and become discouraged. Neither reaction is a reliable verdict. Keep a short diary of pain, stiffness and walking distance, and share it with the medical team during follow-up. It gives a far clearer picture than memory.

Choosing the season for the procedure in Addis Ababa

There is no single correct month, and nobody should claim one. The seasons of Addis Ababa offer different practical conditions. In the dry season from mid-November to January the days are bright but the nights are cold and can approach freezing, which is a reason to keep the joint warm and to plan short, careful outings. In the short rainy season from February to May the difference between day and night temperatures is smaller, and the weather is warm with pleasant rainfall, which many people find comfortable for gentle walking.

The long wet season, from June to mid-September, is the coldest period, with rain, hail and heavy cloud. Damp pavements raise the risk of a slip, and chilly days can make joints stiffer. If your work or study calendar allows, discuss with the surgeon whether you would prefer to begin recovery at a time when the weather is easier on you. The autumn that follows is a transitional period between wet and dry seasons.

The best season is usually the one in which you can actually rest. A teacher may prefer a school holiday, an office employee may use a quieter period of the working year, and a business owner may need to arrange cover for several weeks. Start by choosing the period when you can realistically reduce strain, and then check it against the weather.

Work, study, sport and family life during recovery

The economy of Addis Ababa is diverse. Many residents work in trade and commerce, manufacturing, civil administration, transport and communication, education, health and social services, and hotels and catering. These jobs place very different loads on the joints. A shop assistant, a cook, a waiter or a driver is on their feet or sitting in one position for hours, while an office employee may sit for long periods and then walk uphill to a bus. The city is also in a construction boom, and physical building work is common. When you speak to the surgeon, describe your actual working day in detail, because the return to work depends on it, and the surgeon can give individual instructions.

Sport has a special place in this city. Addis Ababa hosts major events such as the Jan Meda International Cross Country, and the Great Ethiopian Run, a well-known annual race, takes place every year in late October. Many residents run, walk in groups or follow the sporting heroes of the country, and some come to the consultation with pain that interrupts their own training. Be frank about your goals. A recreational runner, a football player in a neighbourhood team and a person who wants to walk comfortably to church or to the market need different plans. Ask when light movement is acceptable and when higher-impact sport can be resumed, and do not set your own dates.

Family life also matters. In many households in Addis Ababa several generations live together, with an average of about five persons per household in the census data. That can be a support during recovery, because relatives can help with shopping, cooking and carrying heavy items. It can also be a source of urging to return to duties too early. Tell your family what the surgeon recommends, so that rest in the first weeks is understood and respected. Shared meals and festive gatherings do not have to be missed, but sitting comfortably, avoiding long standing and asking others to help with serving are sensible adjustments.

Who may be a candidate and who should be cautious

It is important to distinguish arthritis from osteoarthritis, because the treatment path differs. 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 your joint is hot, red and swollen, or if the pain wakes you at night, tell the medical team at once, because a different diagnosis and a different treatment may be needed before anything else.

The stage of the disease is central. 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 imaging reports and a clear description of your symptoms matter so much during the remote consultation. A person with advanced damage should not be encouraged to hope for the same effect as a person with early changes.

General contraindications are discussed individually: active infection, certain blood or immune conditions, serious uncontrolled illnesses, pregnancy and some medications can change the decision. Body weight is also relevant. The World Health Organization describes overweight and obesity as a major health issue, and extra weight adds load to the knees and hips. Weight management, a calmer routine and strengthening exercises are therefore a normal part of an osteoarthritis plan. For the medical standard of care, clinicians often refer to the NICE guideline Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), and a good specialist will be able to explain how the procedure relates to such recommendations.

How the remote consultation works from Addis Ababa

You do not need to leave the city for the first conversation. Write to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram at any time, day or night, because they are available 24/7. The consultation is free and online. Describe which joint hurts, how long the problem has lasted, what makes it better or worse, and what treatment you have already tried. If you have X-ray or MRI reports, previous laboratory results or a list of medications, prepare clear photographs or files. Even a simple note about your daily routine, your work and your sport helps the specialist understand your case.

After your information is reviewed, the medical team explains whether the described condition fits osteoarthritis, which questions remain open and what additional examinations are required. If the procedure is not suitable, you should hear that plainly. If it is a reasonable option, you receive an explanation of the steps, the expected timeline and the follow-up plan. Nothing is decided during the first message, and you can take time to talk to your family and your own treating doctor in Addis Ababa.

Many residents prefer to keep their regular physician informed. That is sensible. Local follow-up, blood tests and physiotherapy can be carried out in your own city, and you can share the results with the coordinators. A continuous line of communication is especially useful because osteoarthritis needs an ongoing plan rather than a single event.

Questions worth asking the surgeon

A good consultation is a conversation, and prepared questions make it more useful. Ask which stage of osteoarthritis your imaging shows and whether SVF therapy is reasonable at that stage. Ask what the procedure aims to do for your particular joint and what it cannot do. Ask how the fat tissue is taken, which area is used, how large the portion is, and what to expect from the puncture area. Ask which signs during recovery are normal and which require an immediate message to the coordinators.

Ask about everyday matters that are specific to life in Addis Ababa. How should you manage hills, stairs and public transport in the first weeks? When is it acceptable to return to a standing job or to a desk? What kind of footwear is best on wet pavements in the rainy season? When can running, cross-country training or football resume, and how should you build up gradually? When can you swim again? How should you plan around a family celebration or a religious holiday?

Finally, ask about the longer plan. What follow-up do you need after 2–3 weeks, and when should you judge the result at about six months? What exercises, weight advice and medication adjustments belong in the programme? What will you do if the effect fades after some months or years? Honest answers to such questions show whether the team treats you as a person with a chronic condition, not as a one-time case.

Is the online consultation really free for residents of Addis Ababa?

Yes. The first consultation is free and takes place online. You write to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, send your reports and questions, and receive an explanation without leaving your own city.

When can I contact the coordinators?

Coordinators are available around the clock, 24/7, on WhatsApp and Telegram. You can write in the evening after work or early in the morning, and you will receive an answer as soon as the team can respond.

What exactly is taken from my body during the procedure?

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. This tissue is then used to prepare the material for treating the joint.

How soon will I feel a change?

Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result forms over about six months. Individual reactions differ, so a diary of pain and walking distance helps you and the medical team judge progress.

How long does the effect last?

The result can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection, including movement, weight care and follow-up.

Is SVF therapy suitable at any stage of osteoarthritis?

Not at every stage. 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. Your imaging reports help the team decide.

My joint is hot, red and swollen and hurts at night. Is it osteoarthritis?

Not necessarily. Pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint are typical signs of arthritis, an inflammatory disease. Causes include rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Tell the coordinators about these signs early, because another diagnosis may need to come first.

Does the cold weather of Addis Ababa affect recovery?

The city is high and cool, with cold nights in the dry season and chilly, wet days from June to mid-September. Many people find that cold makes joints feel stiffer, so warm layers, dry shoes and care on slippery pavements are sensible. Keep the puncture area clean and dry and follow the surgeon's instructions.

Can I keep running or training for the Great Ethiopian Run?

Discuss it openly with the surgeon. Return to running depends on the joint, the stage of osteoarthritis and your recovery. Ask for a step-by-step plan rather than setting your own date, and do not start high-impact training until you have been told it is acceptable.

What should I prepare before writing to the coordinators?

Prepare a short description of your symptoms, the joint concerned, how long the problem has lasted, previous treatment, current medications, and any X-ray, MRI or laboratory reports. Add a few lines about your work and sport, because they affect the recovery plan.