Osteoarthritis Treatment for Patients from Auckland
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
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 osteoarthritis
(arthrosis)?
Osteoarthritis, which doctors also call arthrosis, is a chronic process of cartilage thinning and wearing away inside a joint. The cartilage is there to absorb shock, and as it deteriorates the bones rub together, producing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. It is degenerative rather than inflammatory, although flares with swelling occur.
Most often it hits the most heavily loaded joints — knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis) — along with the ankle and the small hand joints. Early and moderate stages respond best, before serious damage to the joint surfaces; at an advanced stage the doctor will be honest with you if replacing the joint is the more realistic path.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Both large and small joints — after reviewing your scans, the doctor selects the joint, the method and how many injections you need
Elbow
Pain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Pain and stiffness in the small joints of the wrist and fingers
Knee
Pain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain as the arm goes up, wear in the joint and surrounding tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
A little of your adipose tissue is taken and processed so that the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) can be separated: cells that help tissues repair. This is combined with your own plasma and injected into the joint affected by the disease.
It is mainly indicated for early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis, where it slows cartilage wear and eases friction between the joint surfaces.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
Platelet- and growth-factor-rich plasma is separated from a small amount of your blood and then injected into the joint, helping to calm inflammation and create better conditions for tissue repair.
For mild osteoarthritis it is often used alone, and with SVF when the effect needs to be stronger.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor checks the joint, studies your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if this procedure fits your case. If scans are already done, send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue (roughly 30 ml) via a puncture on the abdomen or the inner thigh. Stitches are not needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor checks the joint, studies your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if this procedure fits your case. If scans are already done, send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue (roughly 30 ml) via a puncture on the abdomen or the inner thigh. Stitches are not needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Follow-up visits
The doctor follows the joint's response at follow-up visits and adjusts the plan as needed — pain tends to ease during the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
Conditions we treat
Only a doctor, after an examination and a review of scans, decides whether this treatment suits you
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: inflammation of the skin over the joint to be treated, fever, a cold or flu
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
Most people leave on the day of the procedure and get back to daily routines within a day or two, with small dressings covering the puncture sites. A little extra aching in the first week is an expected reaction. The pain usually eases over the first month; mobility and activity improve over about three months; the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts is individual, shaped by the stage, body weight, activity and other factors — nobody can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular joint-friendly exercise help the result last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
We work on keeping your own joint rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
No donor or synthetic material: we use only your own blood and adipose tissue
No crutches
Punctures instead of incisions, local anaesthetic, no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send us your MRI, X-rays or reports for an independent assessment by a doctor at no cost
Support after the procedure
The result is followed after the procedure too; we stay in touch, not only on the day of the injection
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor names the cost after the consultation — it depends on the joint, the method and how advanced the osteoarthritis is
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 osteoarthritis in simple terms?
In a joint, the ends of the bones are covered with cartilage, and in this condition it gradually wears. When it thins, the joint's cushioning goes, the bones rub together and pain, stiffness and crunching follow. The condition is degenerative, not inflammatory.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes, in many cases, provided treatment is not left too late. SVF and PRP injections aim to ease pain and support cartilage without an operation. Joint replacement is the last option, for a joint that has already been destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
The first changes are often noticed 2–3 weeks after the procedure. Over about six months a stable result forms, lasting anywhere from several months to several years depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis is chronic and calls for an ongoing plan rather than one injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
It works at early and moderate stages: a milder stage usually means a faster and more durable effect and may reduce the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. At the most advanced stage, with the joint space almost gone, you cannot expect a lasting effect.
Which joints are most often affected?
Load-bearing joints are most at risk: knees, hips, ankles — and also the spine and small hand joints. Regenerative treatment is used across all of these joints.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
It usually progresses: pain becomes constant, movement becomes more limited, the joint may become deformed and walking can become difficult. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor make a real difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
An X-ray is the key test and shows the stage. A detailed view of the cartilage and soft tissues comes from MRI, ultrasound shows fluid and inflammation in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory diseases. Results you already have can be reviewed by the doctor free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
The difference: osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage (aching pain on movement, crunching, stiffness after rest), while arthritis is inflammation (pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness, warmth over the joint). Treatment differs, which is why diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Your X-rays, MRI or test results are reviewed by a doctor free of charge, the stage of osteoarthritis is assessed, and a non-surgical plan is suggested if appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
Yes — exercise is encouraged. The right activity builds the muscles that take the load off the joint, improves how the cartilage is nourished and keeps you mobile. Try swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and avoid running on hard ground, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Osteoarthritis in Auckland: from X-ray to follow-up
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 Auckland is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling happen.
Osteoarthritis treatment in Auckland is not done with cancer, acute infections, blood clotting disorders, during pregnancy or during a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. The doctor checks this at the consultation.
Knee or hip osteoarthritis? Patients from Auckland can send their X-rays or MRI and get a free assessment of the stage and a clear answer on suitable treatment and its price.
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