Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatment in Budapest
SVF cell therapy and PRP for knee, hip and other joints affected by arthrosis. A free review of your X-rays or MRI to check the stage
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.
The joints under the heaviest load are affected most often: the knee (gonarthrosis), the hip (coxarthrosis), the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Treatment gives the best results at early and moderate stages, while the joint surfaces are still in fair condition; if the stage is advanced, the doctor will say plainly when joint replacement is the more realistic choice.
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 — which joint, which method and how many injections is decided after the doctor studies your scans
Elbow
Joint surface wear and pain after overloading or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff and sore small joints in the wrist and the 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 on raising the arm; wear of the joint and the tendons around it
Methods we use
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.
It is chosen mostly for early and moderate osteoarthritis, where it slows cartilage wear and reduces friction between joint surfaces.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
A small amount of your blood is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which is then injected into the joint. It helps settle inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.
It is often applied in mild osteoarthritis, and alongside SVF when a stronger effect is called for.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
First comes an examination of the joint and a look at your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound, after which the doctor decides whether the procedure suits you. Already have scans? Send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken — it will later be used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
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
Spinning in a centrifuge splits the sample into layers, after which 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 prepared material goes straight into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Consultation and scan review
First comes an examination of the joint and a look at your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound, after which the doctor decides whether the procedure suits you. Already have scans? Send them before the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken — it will later be used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
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
Spinning in a centrifuge splits the sample into layers, after which 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 prepared material goes straight into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Follow-up visits
At follow-up visits the doctor checks how the joint is responding and adjusts the plan. Pain usually eases during the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around 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: a raised temperature, a cold or flu, inflamed skin above the target joint
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 cover the puncture sites. In the first week the joint may ache slightly more, which is expected. During the first month pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and around six months are needed for the full effect. Its duration differs from person to person, depending on the stage, body weight, activity and other factors, so no fixed result can be promised. Keeping weight healthy and exercising regularly in a joint-friendly way helps it last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Your own joint is kept, not replaced — we treat without surgery
Your own tissue
The treatment relies solely on your own blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions
Second opinion
Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge
Support after the procedure
Not just the injection day — we stay in touch after the procedure and follow your result
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
Since the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis determine the cost, it is named by 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 osteoarthritis in simple terms?
This is the gradual wear of the cartilage that lines the bone ends in a joint. When cartilage thins, the joint is no longer cushioned; the bones rub, and pain, stiffness and crunching appear. The condition is degenerative and not inflammatory.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Frequently yes, if treatment is not delayed. With SVF and PRP injections the aim is pain relief and cartilage support without an operation. Joint replacement remains the last option, used when the joint is already destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
First changes usually appear 2–3 weeks after the procedure for many patients. It takes about six months for a stable result to form, and it may last from several months to several years, individually. As a chronic condition, osteoarthritis needs a continuing plan instead of a single injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
Early and moderate stages are the target. Milder stages usually give a quicker and longer-lasting effect and may lower the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. When the joint space has almost disappeared, at the most advanced stage, no lasting effect can be expected.
Which joints are most often affected?
Heavily loaded joints — the knees, hips and ankles — together with the spine and small hand joints. All of them can be treated with regenerative treatment.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
It usually moves forward: the pain stops going away, movement is more and more limited, the joint may deform and walking may get difficult. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and a doctor's involvement make a real difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
The stage is shown by an X-ray, the main method. MRI gives a close look at the cartilage and soft tissues, ultrasound detects inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help exclude inflammatory conditions. Already have results? The doctor reviews them free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
Osteoarthritis means worn cartilage — aching pain when moving, crunching, stiffness after rest. Arthritis means inflammation — pain at night and at rest, swelling, redness, warmth over the joint. As the approach to treatment differs, the 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?
You can, and you should. Suitable activity builds the muscles that unload the joint, feeds the cartilage better and keeps you moving. Choose swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Osteoarthritis treatment in Budapest: a short guide
Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of a joint gradually thins and wears away. For patients from Budapest, it usually shows as aching pain on movement, stiffness after rest and crunching in the joint.
The procedure does not require crutches or a hospital stay. Patients from Budapest return to normal daily activity within a day or two and receive recommendations on load for the first weeks.
The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Budapest, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation before any procedure.
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use it, you agree to the Privacy Policy and data processing terms
Get a consultation
Apply before the end of the year and get a consultation at the clinic's expense!