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Arthrosis Treatment in Cardiff Without Surgery

Cell therapy (SVF) plus PRP for arthrosis of the knee, hip and beyond. Send your X-rays or MRI — the stage review costs nothing

Consultation and review of your scansFree

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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, 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.

  • 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

The doctor decides on suitability once you have been examined and your scans have been reviewed

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: fever, flu or a cold, inflamed skin over the joint that is to be treated

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

Your joint is examined and your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed; then the doctor decides if the procedure suits you. You may send any scans you have before you come.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

The nurse takes a little blood from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from this blood later.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

About 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture in the abdomen or inner thigh, with local anaesthetic. The puncture needs no stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The centrifuge spins the sample until it separates into layers; the isolated stromal vascular fraction is then mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows 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 are the only materials used — nothing donor or synthetic

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

A small sample of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a mix of cells involved in tissue repair. Combined with your own plasma, it is 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

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.

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

It is a common option in mild osteoarthritis and is combined with SVF where a stronger effect is needed.

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

From large joints to small ones — which joint, which method and how many injections is decided after the doctor studies your scans

  • KneeKneeMeniscus problems, cartilage wear and pain when walking or on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWear of the joint and the tendons around it, painful arm raising
  • ElbowElbowJoint surface wear and pain after overloading or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsSmall finger and wrist joints that are stiff and painful
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your own joint instead of replacing it: that is the goal of treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials used — nothing donor or synthetic

No crutches

No crutches

Local anaesthetic and small punctures in place of incisions — no long recovery programme or rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We stay in contact once the procedure is done and follow the result beyond 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

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Request a free call

Price

Osteoarthritis treatment prices

Pricing depends on which joint, which method and the stage of osteoarthritis; the doctor gives the cost after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Choosing osteoarthritis treatment in Cardiff

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 Cardiff is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling happen.

During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month, and mobility improves over about three months. Patients from Cardiff go home the same day.

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

Who gets cartilage wear in Wales, and why age is only part of it

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, according to the NHS. The risk rises with age, is higher in women than in men, and is higher in people with obesity or a previous joint injury. A GP may suspect it in anyone aged 45 or older. Cartilage wear is therefore not only a problem of the very old. It often begins in middle age and builds up quietly over years. The main symptoms are pain on movement, crunching, and stiffness after rest.

Cardiff is the capital and the largest city of Wales, in the southeast of the country. The 2021 census counted 362,400 residents, up 4.7% from 346,100 in 2011. The 2025 figure is 381,516 for the city and county together. Arthritis UK reports that over 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis. Even a small share of a growing city is a large number of people with aching knees, hips and hands.

The word arthrosis means slow, chronic wear of the cartilage lining the joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact. When it thins, the bone ends rub on each other, and the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. Flare-ups with swelling do happen, but this is a degenerative disease rather than an inflammatory one. That distinction matters in practice. Arthritis proper involves pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, and swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The approach differs, which is why diagnosis comes first.

During the free online consultation, the doctor reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether non-surgical treatment suits you. The method uses SVF, the stromal vascular fraction from your own adipose tissue, and PRP, platelet-rich plasma from your own blood. Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials used. Nothing donor or synthetic is involved. You can send scans you already have before the conversation, through the coordinators who answer round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram.

Weight, work and sport: what loads a joint in a city of runners

The wear is mechanical at heart, so load matters. The knees and hips carry the most weight, followed by the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Body weight, physical work and sport all raise that load. The doctor will take them into account when planning treatment.

Cardiff is an unusually active place. In 2008/09, 61% of residents regularly took part in sport, the highest share among the 22 local authorities of Wales. The city was named European City of Sport for 2009 and 2014. Regular activity is good for cartilage, because suitable exercise builds the muscles that unload the joint and keeps it moving. It also means that old football, rugby or running injuries can come back years later as stiffness in the knee or ankle. The service text lists recovery after injuries and surgery among the situations where treatment may help. It also names high joint load from sport or physical work.

The Cardiff Half Marathon takes place each October and attracts over 20,000 participants. It has held the World Athletics Elite Road Race Label since 2017. For someone with a sore knee, an event like this is often a turning point. Running on hard surfaces is one of the things the doctor advises people with osteoarthritis to avoid, along with jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements. If your joint hurts after training for a race, send your scans and ask whether the stage allows treatment without an operation.

Weight is the other big factor. Osteoarthritis is more common in people with obesity, and controlling weight makes a real difference. In Wales, NHS 111 describes the access criteria for NHS weight-loss surgery. They include age 18 or over, a BMI of 40 or greater, severe obesity present for at least five years, and completion of an intensive weight management programme of at least 24 months. These criteria apply across all seven Health Boards. Most people with sore joints will never be anywhere near that route. Gradual weight reduction, exercise and treatment of the joint itself are the more usual combination. The treatment described here does not replace weight management, and the doctor will say so openly.

The cold months, rain and stiff joints

Many people say their joints feel worse in damp, cold weather. The service text makes no claim about weather, so this section sticks to what the climate figures show and to practical planning.

Met Office 1991-2020 averages for Bute Park show January as the coldest month, with a mean maximum of 8.6 °C and a mean minimum of 2.5 °C. January and February both have a mean minimum of 2.5 °C. Annual precipitation is 1,203.5 mm over 153.4 days with 1 mm or more of rain. The wettest months are December (139.6 mm), November (130.7 mm) and October (129.1 mm). April is the driest at 72.1 mm. Sunshine totals 1,572.9 hours a year, but December has only 50.4 hours and January 53.5 hours.

Short, grey, wet days mean less time outdoors, fewer walks and more sitting. A joint that is not moved stiffens, and stiffness after rest is a typical sign of osteoarthritis. So the winter months are often when people notice that their knees or hips feel worse and finally decide to deal with the problem. The cold itself may not wear the cartilage down. Reduced activity and heavy clothing may simply make existing symptoms more obvious.

Summer is milder. July has a mean maximum of 21.8 °C, August 21.4 °C, and the annual mean maximum is 15.0 °C. July is the sunniest month at 199.6 hours, followed by May (198.4 hours) and June (195.2 hours). Warm, bright weeks suit gentle activity such as walking and cycling, which the doctor recommends alongside injection treatment. The consultation is online, so the season does not limit when you can start the conversation. The coordinators answer round the clock.

Moving a sore joint around the capital

Cardiff is mostly flat in the centre. Hills rise to the north, east and west, and the highest point of the local authority area is Garth Hill at 307 m. The city was built on reclaimed marshland. Most daily walking is on level ground, but anyone who lives on the hillier edges knows that slopes can be hard on a knee. Pain on stairs or after walking is one of the typical complaints for the knee. For the hip, doctors look at groin pain and limited rotation.

Water is a gentle alternative. Cardiff Bay is freshwater behind the Cardiff Bay Barrage. The Aquabus water taxi runs hourly to the city centre and Penarth, and boat crossings to Flat Holm run from March to October. Cardiff International Pool opened on 12 January 2008. The doctor's advice for osteoarthritis includes swimming and water aerobics, along with cycling, Nordic walking and yoga. Water takes weight off the joints while the muscles keep working. That is useful on days when walking is painful, and it fits well alongside any treatment plan.

The Taff Trail runs 55 miles (90 km) from Cardiff Bay to Brecon. It is a walking and cycle path. You do not need to walk all of it. The first level stretches along the River Taff are enough for a steady daily walk. The River Taff runs through the centre, the Ely joins it and flows into Cardiff Bay, and the Rhymney flows into the Severn Estuary. Cycling is easier on a worn knee than running, because the joint is not hit by repeated impact. Agree the pace and distance with your doctor after the scans, particularly in the first weeks after an injection.

What happens after the injection, and how to plan around it

The procedure is done in one day. The six steps are:

1. a consultation and a review of your scans;

2. a small blood sample for PRP;

3. a sample of roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue, taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, with no stitches;

4. processing in a centrifuge to isolate the stromal vascular fraction and blend it with the plasma;

5. injection into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance;

6. follow-up, with no crutches and no hospital stay.

Recovery has a typical rhythm. In the first week the joint may ache a little more, which is an expected reaction. After about a month the pain usually eases. Around three months mobility and activity improve, and by about six months the full effect develops. How long it lasts differs from person to person. It depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors, so no one can promise a fixed result.

Plan your first weeks with the calendar in mind. England and Wales have 8 bank holidays in 2026, among them Christmas Day on 25 December and a substitute Boxing Day on 28 December. Long weekends are good for resting a joint, but they are also when people overdo walking, gardening and family activity. Agree your activity level with the doctor before a holiday period, and keep the coordinator's WhatsApp or Telegram chat handy, since the team answers 24/7 and follows how the joint responds after the procedure.

When a joint replacement is the more honest answer

Treatment without surgery works best early or at a moderate stage, before the joint surfaces are badly worn. Doctors usually describe four stages, from early thinning of the cartilage to severe wear. When the joint space has almost disappeared at the most advanced stage, a lasting effect cannot be expected. The doctor will tell you frankly if a joint replacement is more realistic.

The NHS describes the same boundary for the hip. A hip replacement may be considered when pain and stiffness have a big effect on daily life and other treatments have not worked. Osteoarthritis is named as the leading cause, along with rheumatoid arthritis and hip injury. The NHS also notes that cosmetic surgery is not routinely provided on the NHS, but that is a different matter from joint treatment. Replacement for a worn joint is a recognised medical route.

For coxarthrosis, PRP or SVF injections combined with exercise therapy and physiotherapy can reduce pain and improve movement at early stages. If the joint is already badly damaged, replacement may be the more realistic option. For avascular necrosis, SVF therapy may be considered at stages 1–2 to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement, while later stages usually require an operation. Rheumatoid arthritis is a separate condition. The NHS says there is no cure for it. Treatment is long-term medicine to relieve symptoms and slow progress, plus physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and surgery can fix joint problems that develop. The doctor will separate these cases at the consultation, which is why sending scans and test results first is useful.

Students, shift workers and the rest of the city's rhythm

About 43,900 people are enrolled in higher education in the city, across Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. Most are young, and osteoarthritis is not their usual worry. But sport injuries, dance and music training can strain joints early, and the service text mentions recovery after injuries and surgery. A student with an old knee injury can send an MRI for a second opinion. The doctor assesses it independently and free of charge.

For people of working age, the load comes from the job: standing, lifting, kneeling or repetitive hand work. The service text lists high load on the joints, from sport or physical work, among the situations where treatment is suitable. The small joints of the fingers and wrist are on the list of joints that can be treated, along with the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and ankle. The doctor determines the joint, the method and the number of injections after looking at your scans.

Cardiff Big Weekend is held in the city centre in summer. The Photomarathon has run yearly since 2004, with an exhibition in June or July. Events like these mean long hours on foot for visitors and volunteers alike. If your hip or knee has started to limit that kind of day, an online consultation is a low-effort first step. You leave your number, the coordinator asks for your scans (X-ray, MRI or ultrasound), and the doctor tells you whether treatment without surgery suits you.

Not everyone is suitable. The service text names cancer, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, acute infections (including infection in or near the joint) and a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. Temporary contraindications are a raised temperature, a cold or flu, and inflamed skin above the target joint. Winter colds are common, so these matter for timing: a cold or flu means the procedure waits.

Does Cardiff's damp, cold winter make osteoarthritis worse?

The material available to us does not show that weather wears down cartilage. What the Met Office figures show is a cold, wet, dim season. January has a mean maximum of 8.6 °C and a mean minimum of 2.5 °C, and December has only 50.4 hours of sunshine. Less outdoor time can mean less movement and more stiffness after sitting. Keep gentle activity going and send your scans for a free review if symptoms persist.

Can I plan treatment around the autumn Half Marathon season?

Yes, and it is worth discussing early. The Cardiff Half Marathon takes place each October and draws over 20,000 participants. If you train for it with a sore knee or hip, the doctor can review your scans first. Running on hard surfaces is among the things people with osteoarthritis are advised to avoid. After an injection the doctor will set the activity you can resume and when. Recovery runs from about one week for the first reaction, through one month for easing pain, to about six months for the full effect.

Is osteoarthritis common enough in the UK that my symptoms are probably the same thing?

It is common, but only scans and an examination can tell. The NHS calls osteoarthritis the most common type of arthritis in the UK, and Arthritis UK reports over 10 million people living with arthritis of some kind. Pain at rest, at night, or morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes points toward an inflammatory type instead. Send your X-ray, MRI or test results for a free assessment.

At what age does the NHS expect osteoarthritis to appear?

The NHS says a GP may suspect osteoarthritis in people aged 45 or older, and that risk increases with age. It is also higher in women, and in people with obesity or joint injury. That does not mean it cannot appear sooner after an injury. The online doctor reviews your scans regardless of age.

Does the Welsh weight-loss pathway affect whether I can have joint treatment?

No. The NHS 111 Wales criteria concern NHS weight-loss surgery: age 18 or over, a BMI of 40 or greater, severe obesity for at least five years, and an intensive weight management programme of at least 24 months. Joint injections are a separate decision. Body weight is one factor in how long the effect lasts, so the doctor will ask about it at the consultation.

Which activities around Cardiff Bay suit a sore joint?

Swimming and water aerobics take weight off the joints, and Cardiff International Pool has been open since 12 January 2008. Cycling and Nordic walking also suit osteoarthritis, and the first level stretch of the Taff Trail from Cardiff Bay offers flat ground. Avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping and sudden movements. Agree distances with the doctor, especially in the first weeks after treatment.

Do the 8 bank holidays affect when I can start?

The online consultation does not depend on them, because coordinators answer round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram. The 2026 bank holidays include Christmas Day on 25 December and a substitute Boxing Day on 28 December. The only practical point is activity. Long weekends tempt people to walk, garden or lift more than usual, so agree your limits with the doctor beforehand.

Are the hills around Cardiff a problem for a worn knee?

The centre is relatively flat, with hills to the north, east and west, and Garth Hill reaches 307 m. Slopes and stairs are typical triggers for knee pain, and pain on stairs or after walking is one of the signs doctors look at. Tell the doctor which routes cause the pain, because it helps in judging the stage.

What if my scans show the joint is too worn for injections?

The doctor will say so frankly. In advanced cases, when the joint space has almost disappeared, a lasting effect cannot be expected, and joint replacement may be more realistic. The NHS also describes hip replacement for cases where pain and stiffness have a big effect on life and other treatments have not worked. The free review still gives you a clear, independent view of the stage.

I get colds often in winter. Can that delay the procedure?

It can. A raised temperature, a cold or flu, or inflamed skin above the target joint are temporary contraindications. The procedure waits until they pass. Acute infections, including any in or near the joint, also rule it out for the time being. Tell the coordinator about any symptoms when you book.

Can a student or young adult with an old sports injury ask for an opinion?

Yes. The service covers recovery after injuries and surgery, and meniscus pathology and injury. A student at one of the city's universities can send an MRI or X-ray for an independent, free review. The doctor assesses the stage and says whether a non-surgical plan is appropriate.