SVF and PRP for Osteoarthritis in Cape Town

The cartilage that covers the bone ends in a joint slowly wears away. Once it thins, cushioning is lost, bone rubs on bone and pain, stiffness and crunching appear. This is a degenerative condition, not an inflammatory one.

In many cases it can be, provided treatment starts in time. The goal of SVF and PRP injections is to ease pain and support cartilage without an operation; replacing the joint is the last resort once it is destroyed.

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.

Early and moderate stages respond best. Generally, the milder the stage, the faster and longer-lasting the effect, which may cut the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. When the joint space has almost disappeared at the most advanced stage, a lasting effect cannot be expected.

The joints that carry the most load: the knees, hips and ankles, as well as the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for all of these joints.

As a rule it progresses, so pain becomes constant, movement more limited, the joint may deform and walking can be hard. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with your doctor make a real difference.

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.

Osteoarthritis is about cartilage wear: pain that aches on movement, crunching, stiffness after rest. Arthritis is about inflammation: pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Because treatment is different, the diagnosis comes first.

Yes, you can. Send the X-rays, MRI or test results; a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the osteoarthritis stage and recommend a non-surgical plan if suitable.

Yes, and it helps. Well-chosen activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint, improves the cartilage's nutrition and keeps you mobile. Swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga work well, while running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements are best avoided.