Osteoarthritis Treatment in Brisbane
For knees, hips and other joints with arthrosis: SVF cell therapy and PRP. We check the stage from your X-rays or MRI at no cost
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)?
Arthrosis, or osteoarthritis, is chronic: the cartilage inside the joint gets thinner and gradually disappears. Without this shock-absorbing layer the bones rub together, and pain, stiffness and a narrower range of motion follow. The process is degenerative; inflammation is not its cause, although swollen flare-ups are possible.
It tends to strike the joints under most load: knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis), ankle and the small joints of the hand. The best outcomes come at early and moderate stages, before the joint surfaces suffer major damage; at an advanced stage the doctor will be straightforward about joint replacement if it is the more realistic option.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large and small joints alike. The joint, the technique and the number of injections are chosen by the doctor based on your scans
Elbow
Worn joint surfaces and pain following overuse or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
Knee
Stairs and walking cause pain; cartilage wear and meniscus problems
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Raising the arm is painful; wear of the joint and nearby 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.
Early and moderate osteoarthritis is where it is mostly used — to slow cartilage wear and reduce friction between the surfaces of the joint.
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.
Commonly used for mild osteoarthritis — and together with SVF when you need a stronger effect.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Local anaesthetic is used while a small portion of adipose tissue, about 30 ml, is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. The site needs no stitches.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The material is injected directly into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound for precise placement.
Follow-up
No crutches, no stay in hospital. The doctor keeps in contact after the procedure and watches how your joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Local anaesthetic is used while a small portion of adipose tissue, about 30 ml, is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. The site needs no stitches.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The material is injected directly into the affected joint, guided by ultrasound for precise placement.
Follow-up
No crutches, no stay in hospital. The doctor keeps in contact after the procedure and watches how your joint responds.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits let the doctor see how the joint responds and adjust the plan — pain usually eases over the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
Conditions we treat
The doctor decides on suitability once you have been examined and your scans have been reviewed
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: fever, flu or a cold, inflamed skin over the joint that is 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
Typically you go home the same day and return to normal activity within a day or two; the punctures are covered with small dressings. It is expected that the joint may ache a little more in the first week. Pain usually eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and around six months are needed for the full effect. The result's duration is individual and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — a fixed outcome cannot be promised. Regular joint-friendly exercise and a healthy weight help it last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery that works to keep your own joint rather than swap it for an implant
Your own tissue
Only your own adipose tissue and blood — no synthetic or donor material
No crutches
Done through punctures under local anaesthetic, without incisions or 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
Not just the injection day — we stay in touch after the procedure and follow your result
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor quotes the cost after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis
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?
Put simply, the cartilage covering the bone ends in a joint wears down over time. Thin cartilage no longer cushions the joint, so the bones rub, causing pain, stiffness and crunching. It is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one.
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?
Early changes are noticed by many patients 2–3 weeks after the procedure. The result stabilises over about six months and can last several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis being chronic, it requires an ongoing plan, not a one-off injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
Early and moderate stages. In milder stages the effect is usually faster and longer-lasting, and it may reduce the need for regular injections of hyaluronic acid. At the most advanced stage, where the joint space has almost disappeared, a lasting effect is not to be expected.
Which joints are most often affected?
Knees, hips and ankles, as the joints carrying the most load, plus the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for each of these joints.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
Left alone, it usually progresses: pain becomes constant, the range of movement shrinks, the joint may become deformed and walking can be difficult. Early diagnosis, exercise, weight control and a doctor's guidance make a real difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
X-ray is the main method and it shows the stage; MRI provides detail on the cartilage and soft tissues; ultrasound shows inflammation and joint fluid; blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions. The doctor can review your existing results free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
With osteoarthritis the cartilage wears down: you get aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest. With arthritis there is inflammation: pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The treatment approach is different, so diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Send us your X-rays, MRI or test results and a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and propose a non-surgical plan where appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
Yes, you should exercise. Correct activity strengthens the muscles that relieve the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and keeps you mobile. Swimming, cycling, water aerobics, yoga and Nordic walking are good; jumping, heavy lifting, sudden movements and running on hard surfaces are not.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
What Brisbane residents ask about osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is not the same as arthritis. Arthrosis is wear of the cartilage; arthritis is inflammation with pain at rest, swelling and warmth. The approach differs, so the diagnosis comes first for everyone in Brisbane.
Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Brisbane, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.
Book a free consultation in Brisbane to find out whether SVF or PRP could slow your osteoarthritis. The doctor names the price after examining the joint.
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