City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

Arthrosis Treatment in Alicante Without Surgery

SVF cells and platelet-rich plasma for joints worn by arthrosis — knee, hip and others. Stage checked through a free review of your X-rays or MRI

Consultation and review of your scansFree

Message us on WhatsApp

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Knee joint: regenerative treatment without surgery
Joint treatment without surgery. Free consultation and review of your scans

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

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

A doctor decides whether the treatment suits you after examining you and reviewing 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 fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint to be 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

The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you after examining the joint and reviewing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Scans you already have can be sent ahead of your visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

Blood in a small amount is drawn from a vein, and later platelet-rich plasma rich in growth factors is prepared from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, under local anaesthetic, is used to take a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml). No stitches afterwards.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

Centrifugation separates the sample into layers, and the stromal vascular fraction is isolated, then combined with platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The material is injected directly into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound for precise placement.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No crutches are needed and there is no hospital stay. The doctor keeps in touch after the procedure to see 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 synthetic, nothing from donors — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

Your adipose tissue, in a small sample, is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF): a combination of cells that take part in tissue repair. With your own plasma added, it is injected into the joint in question.

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

Its main use is at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis, to slow the wear of cartilage and lessen friction between the joint surfaces.

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

Plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is separated from a small amount of your blood and injected into the joint. It helps calm inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.

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

Mild osteoarthritis is a common indication; when a stronger effect is needed, it is used 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

From large joints to small ones — which joint, which method and how many injections is decided after the doctor studies your scans

  • KneeKneePain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderRaising the arm is painful; wear of the joint and nearby tendons
  • ElbowElbowWear of the joint surfaces and pain after overuse or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiff, painful small joints in the fingers and the wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Our focus is saving your own joint, not replacing it — through treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

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

No crutches

No crutches

Local anaesthetic and small punctures in place of incisions — no long recovery programme or rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Get a free, independent doctor's assessment of your X-rays, MRI or reports — simply send them over

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We stay in contact once the procedure is done and follow the result beyond 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

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

Request a free call

Price

Osteoarthritis treatment prices

Pricing depends on which joint, which method and the stage of osteoarthritis; the doctor gives the cost after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis in Alicante: stages, methods and price

Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of a joint gradually thins and wears away. For patients from Alicante, it usually shows as aching pain on movement, stiffness after rest and crunching in the joint.

Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Alicante, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.

Leave a request, and a coordinator will contact you to arrange a free scan review. The price of osteoarthritis treatment in Alicante is explained before treatment begins.

Cartilage wear in numbers: what Spanish health surveys show

Osteoarthritis is slow, chronic wear of the cartilage that lines a joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact. When it thins, the bones rub, and the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. The European Health Survey 2020, run by Spain's statistics institute (INE), ranks osteoarthritis as the third most commonly diagnosed chronic problem in people aged 15 and over. It affects 14.4 % of them, behind high blood pressure (19.0 %) and high cholesterol (15.3 %). Low back pain follows at 13.7 %. In other words, a stiff knee or hip is an everyday health issue, not a rare one.

Body weight matters here because the knees and hips carry the greatest load. The same survey found obesity in 16.0 % of adults and overweight in 37.6 %, so 53.6 % of the adult population is above the weight considered normal. Weight is one of the factors that decide how long the effect of joint treatment lasts, alongside the stage of the condition and your level of activity. Nobody can promise a fixed result.

The national health system lists surgical weight-loss options in its common service portfolio. The adjustable gastric band is included for adults with a BMI above 40 kg/m2, or above 35 with a significant associated condition. It applies only after conservative alternatives such as diet, exercise and behaviour change have failed. That sequence is a useful reminder that weight, movement and joint care belong in one plan. During the online consultation the doctor looks at your joint and your scans, then explains how loading and activity fit the plan.

Knees (gonarthrosis) and hips (coxarthrosis) are hit most often, followed by the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Early and moderate stages respond best to SVF and PRP injections. In an advanced case the doctor will say frankly if a joint replacement is the more realistic route.

Mild January, humid air and a flat coast: reading the weather against your joints

Alicante has a hot semi-arid climate. January is the coldest month, with highs around 17.2 °C and lows around 6.7 °C. Average humidity is 65 %. Winters like this are not harsh, but morning stiffness after rest is one of the typical signs that separate osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis. A joint that feels stiff when you get up and loosens as you move is worth noting. In arthritis, by contrast, pain appears at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes, and the joint swells and turns red and warm. A short diary of when the joint hurts helps the doctor tell the two apart.

The city sits at an altitude of 3 m on mostly flat ground. The relief is limited to a few rises such as Benacantil, Serra Grossa and the Cabo de la Huerta. Flat terrain makes daily walking easier on a sore knee or hip, but the occasional slope still shows up quickly. Knee pain on stairs or after walking is among the signs the doctor asks about.

Summer is the other extreme. August and July are the warmest months, with highs of 31.1 and 30.7 °C and lows of 21.8 and 21.3 °C. The record is 42.0 °C, set on 13 August 2022. July is almost rainless, at 3.2 mm. September and October bring the most rain, 51.1 mm and 33.1 mm. Annual rainfall is 284.5 mm over 34.7 days, and the city gets 3,014 hours of sun a year. Hot spells and dry spells are good times for outdoor movement early or late in the day. Rainy autumn days suit indoor routines such as exercise therapy.

The sea gives another option. The water averages 19.6 °C over the year, with a minimum of 14 °C in February and March and a maximum of 26 °C in August. Swimming and water aerobics are among the activities that build the muscles that unload the joint without pounding it. Running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements are best avoided. The municipality has several beaches, including Postiguet in the city and San Juan, Albufereta, La Almadraba, Agua Amarga and El Saladar further out. Tabarca island, about 8 nautical miles to the south, is also part of it.

Waiting lists and how an online review of your scans fits in

Patients often start by looking at waiting times in the public system. At the end of 2025, 84.42 of every 1,000 people were waiting for a first specialist consultation, with an average wait of 102 days. Traumatology had the longest consultation wait of any specialty, at 132 days. In the Comunitat Valenciana, 12,746 patients were waiting for traumatology surgery, with an average of 99 days. The region's overall surgical wait was 88 days, at 9.91 per 1,000 residents. That is one of the lowest rates in the national system.

Joint replacement figures are also published. For hip prostheses the average wait is 98 days, and 13.7 % of patients wait beyond the maximum of 180 days. For knee prostheses it is 105 days, with 15.9 % beyond that limit. These numbers describe a queue for an operation, not the state of your joint. They do not tell you whether an earlier, non-surgical option might still be suitable.

This is where a free online consultation can help. You send your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound, and a doctor reviews them at no charge. Doctors usually describe four stages of knee osteoarthritis, from early thinning of the cartilage to severe wear. The scan shows which stage you are in. If the joint space has almost disappeared, a lasting effect from injections cannot be expected, and the doctor will say so. If the stage is early or moderate, the doctor can propose a plan with PRP, or with SVF and PRP together, without waiting for an operation date.

Wanting to avoid or postpone joint replacement is one of the situations the treatment suits. So are pain that painkillers ease only briefly and the need for a second opinion on your scans. It is not suitable with cancer, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, acute infection (including in or near the joint) or a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. A raised temperature, a cold or flu, or inflamed skin over the target joint are temporary reasons to wait.

Work, study and sport: fitting a one-day procedure into an Alicante calendar

The city is home to the University of Alicante, founded in 1979, whose campus is in Sant Vicent del Raspeig next to the city. More than 25,000 students attend. Young people rarely think of osteoarthritis, but old injuries, sprains and sports strain can wear the elbow, ankle or knee early. Recovery after injuries and surgery is one of the reasons for treatment, and the doctor decides the joint, method and number of injections after reviewing your scans.

A high load from sport or physical work is another reason people ask for an assessment. The calendar also has fixed peaks. The Hogueras de San Juan run from 19 to 24 June, a festival of international tourist interest. A few days later, five nights of fireworks competitions take place on the Postiguet beach. Anyone planning a procedure around June 2027 can discuss timing with the coordinator. After the procedure the joint may ache a little more during the first week, which is an expected reaction. The pain usually eases by about a month, and mobility and activity improve by about three months. The full effect develops by about six months.

The practical side is simple. The whole procedure is done in one day. A small amount of blood is taken for PRP. Under local anaesthetic, about 30 ml of adipose tissue is collected through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and stitches are not needed. The sample is spun in a centrifuge to isolate the stromal vascular fraction, which is blended with platelet-rich plasma. The material is injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. There are no crutches and no hospital stay, and the doctor keeps in touch afterwards to follow how the joint responds.

Coordinators answer round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram, so you can send scans at any hour and have the doctor's assessment without taking a day off for a first appointment. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a one-off injection. How long the effect lasts differs from person to person.

Do winter mornings in Alicante make osteoarthritis worse?

The material available to us does not tie a particular climate to a particular result. What it does say is that stiffness after rest, crunching and aching pain on movement are typical of osteoarthritis. January is the coldest month here, with highs near 17.2 °C and lows near 6.7 °C, so it is a useful time to note how long the stiffness lasts. If it passes with movement, this fits wear of the cartilage. If it lasts more than 30 minutes or comes with swelling, redness and warmth, the doctor will look for an inflammatory cause.

How common is osteoarthritis among adults in Spain?

According to the European Health Survey 2020, osteoarthritis is the third most common diagnosed chronic problem in people aged 15 and over, at 14.4 %. High blood pressure (19.0 %) and high cholesterol (15.3 %) come before it. Low back pain follows at 13.7 %. The survey also found obesity in 16.0 % of adults and overweight in 37.6 %, which is relevant because weight is one of the factors that affects the course of the condition.

Does a long public waiting list mean I should simply wait?

Not necessarily. Waiting figures describe queues, not the state of your joint. In the Comunitat Valenciana, traumatology surgery had an average wait of 99 days at the end of 2025. Nationally, the average first-consultation wait in traumatology was 132 days. You can have your existing scans reviewed free of charge in the meantime. The doctor will assess the stage and say whether SVF or PRP is realistic, or whether a joint replacement is the more honest option.

Which waiting times apply to hip and knee replacement?

Nationally, the average wait for a hip prosthesis was 98 days, and 13.7 % of patients exceeded the 180-day maximum. For a knee prosthesis it was 105 days, with 15.9 % beyond that limit. These figures date from 31 December 2025. They are useful context, but they do not decide your treatment. That depends on your scans and on the doctor's assessment.

Are warm sea water and a mostly flat city good for joints?

Gentle movement helps. Swimming and water aerobics are among the activities that build the muscles that unload the joint, feed the cartilage and keep you moving. The sea here averages 19.6 °C over the year, from 14 °C in February and March to 26 °C in August. Flat ground suits regular walking, and Nordic walking and cycling are other suitable choices. Running on hard surfaces, jumping and heavy lifting are better avoided.

Is the national health system's weight-loss option relevant to my joint?

Weight is one of the factors that affects how long joint treatment works. The national common service portfolio includes the adjustable gastric band for adults with a BMI above 40 kg/m2, or above 35 with a significant associated condition. It applies after diet, exercise and behaviour change have failed. If you are in that group, the doctor can talk through how your weight fits into the joint plan during the consultation.

What scans should I send before the consultation?

An X-ray is the main method and shows the stage. MRI gives a detailed picture of cartilage and soft tissues. Ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory disease. Send whatever you already have through WhatsApp or Telegram, and the doctor will review it free of charge.

How could I plan treatment around the Hogueras in June?

The Hogueras de San Juan run from 19 to 24 June, and fireworks competitions follow a few days later. After the procedure, a little extra aching in the first week is expected. The pain usually eases within about a month, and mobility improves by about three months. Tell the coordinator which dates matter to you, and the doctor will discuss timing at the consultation.