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SVF and PRP for Osteoarthritis in Bujumbura

Arthrosis of the knee, hip or another joint treated with SVF cells and PRP. Your X-rays or MRI are reviewed free of charge to confirm the stage

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)?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, also referred to as arthrosis, in which the joint's cartilage thins and erodes step by step. As the cushioning layer fails, bones start rubbing together — the source of pain, stiffness and a reduced range of movement. It is a wear-related, degenerative disease; swollen flare-ups can still appear.

  • 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

It is up to the doctor, after examining you and reviewing your scans, to decide whether the treatment fits

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 cold, flu or fever, or inflamed skin over the joint planned for treatment

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

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

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

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.

Processing in a centrifuge4

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.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Under ultrasound guidance the prepared material is injected straight into the affected joint, which helps to place it precisely.

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

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

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

We take a small sample of your adipose tissue and process it to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a mix of cells that take part in tissue repair. It is combined with your own plasma and injected into the affected joint.

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

The typical indication is early or moderate osteoarthritis: the aim is slower cartilage wear and less friction between the surfaces of the joint.

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 obtained from a small volume of your blood and injected into the joint, where it helps calm inflammation and improves conditions for tissue repair.

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

It is often applied in mild osteoarthritis, and alongside SVF when a stronger effect is called for.

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

Large joints and small joints — having reviewed your scans, the doctor chooses which joint, which method and how many injections

  • KneeKneePain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderLifting the arm hurts; the joint and surrounding tendons are worn
  • ElbowElbowPain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Rather than replacing the joint, we work to preserve it — the treatment involves no 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

Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Share your X-rays, MRI or medical reports and get a free, independent assessment from a doctor

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We follow the result and keep in touch after the procedure, not only 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 doctor quotes the cost after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Choosing osteoarthritis treatment in Bujumbura

Without treatment, osteoarthritis usually progresses: pain becomes constant, movement becomes limited and the joint may deform. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor make a real difference for every patient in Bujumbura.

The right activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint and helps cartilage nutrition. Patients from Bujumbura are advised swimming, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and to avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping and heavy lifting.

Osteoarthritis treatment in Bujumbura: price at consultation, free scan review, own tissue only. Leave your name and phone number, or message us in any messenger.

Bujumbura and why joint health matters here

Bujumbura is the economic capital, the largest city and the main port of Burundi. It sits on the north-eastern shore of Lake Tanganyika, at the mouth of the Ruzizi River and close to the Ntahangwa, Muha, Kanyosha and Mutimbuzi rivers. About 769317 inhabitants live in the city, and it is projected to be one of the fastest growing cities on the African continent between 2020 and 2025. Many of them spend the day on their feet, climbing into minibuses, carrying goods, teaching, studying or working at the port. Knees, hips, hands and the spine take a lot of this load.

Osteoarthritis develops slowly. Many residents first notice it as stiffness after sitting, pain on stairs or a knee that complains after a long walk along the lake. Because the city is busy and the working day is demanding, people often put up with the discomfort for years before asking for a proper assessment.

City Medical Centre works with patients in Bujumbura through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, so you can start the conversation from home or from the office, in the evening or at the weekend, without rearranging your day. This text explains how osteoarthritis treatment with a cell-based approach can be planned around life in Bujumbura.

Climate of Bujumbura and its effect on joints and recovery

Bujumbura has a tropical savanna climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from October to April. Because the city is close to the equator, temperatures change little through the year: the daily high is around 29 °C and the low around 19 °C. The moderate altitude keeps the heat lower than many people expect from an equatorial city.

For recovery this is mostly helpful. There is no cold season to stiffen the joints, and you can usually move gently outdoors all year. Still, warm days affect healing. After the procedure the puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh should be kept clean and dry, and sweating under tight clothing can irritate it. Choose loose, breathable cotton and follow the dressing advice you receive.

During the wet months, humidity and sudden downpours make the ground slippery, and a fall is the last thing a sore knee or hip needs. Wear shoes with a good grip, take care on wet steps and uneven pavements, and keep a stick or support handy during the first weeks if your joint feels unsteady. In the dry season, dust can reach a healing wound, so keep the dressing intact and avoid dusty work until your doctor says the area is fully closed.

Heat can also increase swelling in a tired joint. Rest with the leg raised in the shade, drink enough water and keep daily activity steady rather than all at once. Your surgeon or coordinator will explain how these general habits fit your own case.

What the procedure involves, in plain terms

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. The cell-based approach discussed here starts with a small step: 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 into a preparation of the patient's own cells, which the doctor uses as part of the treatment plan.

Because it is local anaesthetic and a small puncture, many people in Bujumbura ask whether they must stop work for long. That depends on your occupation, your joint and the advice of the treating team, which is why the individual consultation matters more than any general rule. Never plan the operation around a promise that everything will be quick; plan it around your own medical picture.

The result develops gradually. 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. This is why patience and a follow-up plan are part of the treatment, together with exercise, weight control and everyday joint protection.

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. An honest consultation will tell you which situation you are in.

Is it osteoarthritis or arthritis? Signs to discuss

Residents often use the word arthritis for any painful joint, but the two conditions differ. 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.

Osteoarthritis, in contrast, is usually linked with wear and load: pain that grows with activity and eases with rest, short stiffness, and reduced movement. The distinction matters, because an inflamed joint needs a different assessment and treatment from a worn one. If your joint is hot, red and swollen, or the pain wakes you at night, tell the coordinator at the start of the consultation.

In a city with many clinics and polyclinics, patients sometimes carry several results and opinions. Bring them all to the online consultation: previous imaging, blood tests, notes on medicines, and a short diary of when the pain appears. Clear information helps the doctor decide whether the cell-based approach is suitable at all, or whether another investigation must come first.

Good practice in assessing osteoarthritis is described in the NICE guideline Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226). You can ask the doctor how your plan relates to it.

Daily life in Bujumbura: work, study, family and food

The city lives around its port and its markets. Coffee, cotton and tin ore are shipped through Bujumbura, and the central market area is the heart of everyday trade. People who load, carry, stand at a stall or drive all day put steady strain on their joints. If your work is physical, tell the doctor exactly what you lift and how often, and ask how long you should lighten the load afterwards. Do not return to heavy lifting on the strength of feeling better alone.

Office workers, teachers and the many students at the University of Burundi and the other universities have the opposite problem: long hours sitting, then stiffness on standing. Changing position regularly, a supportive chair and short walks all help, and they are easy to build into a study timetable or a working day.

Getting around is part of the picture. Taxis and the white-and-blue Hiace minibuses are common, and motorcycle and bicycle taxis operate in some parts of the city. Climbing into a crowded minibus with a painful knee or hip is hard. In the first days after the procedure, plan to use the safest and most comfortable option available, avoid crowds when you can, and ask a relative or colleague to help with errands.

Family events and shared meals are central to life here, and long hours on your feet in the kitchen or at a celebration are common. Agree in advance who will cook, serve and carry, so that you can sit and rest. Food also matters for the joints: excess body weight increases load on the knees and hips, and the WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight is a useful general reference. A balanced local diet with plenty of vegetables, fish from the lake where available, and moderate portions supports any treatment plan. Your doctor can give personal dietary advice.

Best season to plan the operation in Bujumbura

Since temperatures hardly change through the year, the choice of season depends more on rain and on your calendar than on cold or heat. The wet season, from October to April, brings heavy showers and slippery surfaces. The dry months are easier for first walks outdoors and for keeping dressings dry. If your joint is unstable, the drier period may feel safer, but this is a matter of comfort rather than a medical rule.

More important is your own schedule. Choose a time when you are not facing exams, a big delivery at the port, a wedding or another event that demands long standing. Allow room for rest at the beginning and for gentle exercise afterwards. Remember that the first changes are noticed by many patients 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and that a stable result forms over about six months, so the plan should not depend on a deadline in the first month.

The online consultation takes this into account. The coordinator can discuss dates with you at any hour, because coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, and you can adjust the plan if work or family circumstances change.

Return to work, sport and swimming

Bujumbura is a sporting city. There is a large multisport stadium used mainly for football, many basketball and tennis courts, and a multitude of indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Lake Tanganyika is nearby too. For active people the question is always the same: when can I go back?

The honest answer is that it depends on the joint, the stage of the disease and how you respond. After a procedure under local anaesthetic with a small puncture and no stitches, light daily activity usually returns first. Running, jumping, tennis and football are a different matter and should be restarted only with the doctor's approval and in stages. Do not rush because the pain has eased; a quiet joint can still be overloaded.

Swimming is often recommended for osteoarthritis because water supports the body weight, but wait until the puncture area has healed and your doctor allows it. Pools and lake water carry a risk of irritating or infecting an open wound, so ask for a specific instruction on the first swim rather than guessing. Avoid swimming in a rush back to a club schedule.

Desk work and teaching can often resume sooner than manual work. Physical jobs at the port, in the market or on construction should be discussed in detail, including the heaviest tasks. Ask whether a period of lighter duties is advisable, and whether a support or brace could help on return.

Candidates, limits and how the remote consultation works

The cell-based approach is not for everyone. It is considered mostly for people with osteoarthritis at the early stages (1–2), when there is still joint structure to support. At later stages surgery is usually required, and a frank consultation should say so. Active infection, an inflamed joint caused by an autoimmune disease, gout or psoriasis, serious general illness and unclear diagnoses need clarification before any decision. Pregnancy, blood-thinning medicines and chronic conditions must also be mentioned. The final decision belongs to the treating doctor.

From Bujumbura the first step is simple. You write to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, at any hour, and arrange a free online consultation. You send your imaging, test results, a list of medicines and a short description of your symptoms. The doctor reviews them, asks questions, explains whether the approach is suitable and what the plan would involve. You do not need to leave the city to take this first step, and you can invite a relative to join the call.

Prepare your questions beforehand. Write them down in French, English or Kirundi as you prefer, and ask the coordinator to clarify anything unclear. Ask who will follow your case after the procedure and how you can reach the team if something worries you. Round-the-clock coordinator contact is a practical support in the weeks of recovery.

Can I have the first consultation from Bujumbura without leaving home?

Yes. The consultation is online and free. You contact the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, send your documents and speak with the doctor from home or work. Coordinators are available 24/7.

What do I send before the consultation?

Send previous X-rays or MRI images, blood test results, a list of your medicines and a short note about when the pain appears, how long morning stiffness lasts and which joints are affected. The more complete the information, the more useful the conversation.

How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?

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. Osteoarthritis is mainly linked to wear and load. The doctor decides which one applies to you.

What happens 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. The tissue is then processed into a preparation used in your treatment.

When will I notice a change?

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.

Is the method suitable at every stage?

No. 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. The consultation will help establish your stage.

Does the humid wet season in Bujumbura affect recovery?

The wet season runs from October to April, with daily temperatures around 29 °C at most and 19 °C at night. Humidity and sweat can irritate the puncture area, so wear loose cotton and keep the dressing clean and dry. Watch for slippery ground to avoid falls.

When can I swim or play sport again?

Ask your doctor for a personal instruction. Wait until the puncture area has healed before using a pool or the lake, and restart football, tennis or basketball in stages once the doctor agrees. Do not return to full sport simply because the pain has eased.

Can body weight and diet make a difference?

Extra weight increases the load on knees and hips, so weight control supports any osteoarthritis plan. The WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight gives general background. For a personal diet plan, ask your doctor.

What should I ask the surgeon?

Ask whether you are a suitable candidate at your stage, what the procedure involves, how recovery should be organised around your job and family, when you can return to work and sport, which signs need urgent contact, and how follow-up will be arranged over the following months.