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Osteoarthritis Treatment in Coventry

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

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)?

In osteoarthritis, sometimes called arthrosis, the joint's cartilage lining wears away bit by bit over years. That cartilage normally absorbs shock; once it breaks down, bone rubs on bone and the joint becomes painful, stiff and less mobile. It is a disease of wear rather than inflammation, even if episodes of swelling happen.

  • 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

Whether this treatment is right for you is a doctor's decision, made after an examination and a scan review

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

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 PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is prepared from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

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 centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

A centrifuge separates the sample into layers. From them the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping 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

Only material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

SVF — the stromal vascular fraction — is a mixture of repair-related cells isolated from a small sample of your own adipose tissue. It is injected into the affected joint together with your plasma.

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

Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down cartilage wear.

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 separated from a small amount of your blood and injected into the joint. It helps calm inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.

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

It is often used for mild osteoarthritis, and together with SVF when 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

Large and small joints — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans

  • KneeKneeStairs and walking cause pain; cartilage wear and meniscus problems
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPain with stiffness in the small joints of fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We work to keep the joint you have instead of replacing it, using treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Only material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

No crutches

No crutches

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

Second opinion

Second opinion

Your X-rays, MRI or reports are assessed independently by a doctor at no charge once you send them

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

The result is followed after the procedure too; we stay in touch, 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

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Request a free call

Price

Osteoarthritis treatment prices

The stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method all affect the cost, so it is named after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis in Coventry: stages, methods and price

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 Coventry.

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 Coventry go home the same day.

How much does arthrosis treatment cost in Coventry? The doctor names the price after assessing the stage from your X-ray or MRI and choosing PRP, SVF or a combination. Send a request or message us in any messenger.

Age, sex and body weight: who tends to get cartilage wear

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, according to the NHS. Risk rises with age and is higher in women than in men. It is also higher in people with obesity or a previous joint injury. A GP may suspect the condition in anyone aged 45 or older. Arthritis UK reports that more than 10 million adults, young people and children in the UK live with arthritis, so joint pain is a common reason for a conversation about treatment.

Coventry had 345,324 residents at the 2021 census and is the tenth largest city in England. The wider metropolitan area has about 651,600 people. The city sits in the West Midlands, the region where the NHS Digital Health Survey for England 2022 is relevant to body weight. Nationally, 29% of adults were living with obesity and 64% were overweight or living with obesity. Regional obesity ranged from 39% in the North East to 21% in London. The survey does not give a single figure for Coventry, so we do not claim one. The weight pattern still matters for knees and hips, because they carry the greatest load.

Osteoarthritis is slow, chronic wear of the cartilage that lines the joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact. When it thins, the bone ends rub, and the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. The condition is degenerative rather than inflammatory, although flare-ups with swelling can happen. At the online consultation the doctor asks about your age, your history of injuries and your weight. These details help explain why a joint has worn and what the plan should include. The doctor does not use them to judge you.

Body weight also shapes how results are described. How long an effect lasts depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors. No one can promise a fixed result. If weight is part of your picture, the doctor will say so openly and will treat it as one factor in a wider plan.

Cold months, damp Octobers and stiff joints

Coventry is not an extreme climate, but the figures show a clear cold season. The Met Office 1991–2020 averages for Coundon, at 122 m, put January as the coldest month. The mean daily maximum is 7.2 °C and the mean minimum is 1.8 °C. February has the same mean minimum. July is the warmest month, with a mean maximum of 22.0 °C and a minimum of 12.6 °C. The annual mean temperature is 10.4 °C.

The gloom matters too. December has only 61.0 hours of sunshine and January 61.4 hours, against 197.6 hours in July. Rain is spread through the year: 698.3 mm over 123.3 days. October is the wettest month at 68.7 mm, and August is close behind at 66.2 mm. March is the driest at 45.6 mm.

Stiffness after rest is a typical sign of osteoarthritis. The doctor will ask when it is worst and whether it changes with the season. It is useful to note whether your joint is stiffer after long periods of sitting, on cold mornings or after damp days. This helps the doctor see how the joint behaves in daily life. It does not prove that weather causes the wear, and we do not claim that it does.

Timing can also be planned around these months. The procedure is done in one day. The service timeline says the joint may ache a little more in the first week, which is an expected reaction. The pain usually eases by about one month, mobility and activity improve at around three months, and the full effect develops by about six months. A procedure in late autumn would therefore have its early reaction in winter and its improvement phase in spring. Whether that suits your life is a practical question for the consultation, not a medical rule.

Work, study and sport: where the load comes from

The treatment page names high load on the joints, from sport or physical work, as a reason the treatment may suit a person. Coventry has several sources of such load. The University of Warwick, whose campus opened in 1965, and Coventry University had a combined 60,000 students in the 2010s. A young student with an old sports injury is not the typical osteoarthritis patient. Still, the service text lists recovery after injuries and surgery among the reasons for treatment. Pain, crunching or stiffness in a joint after an old sprain or meniscus problem is worth a scan review.

Sport also has a local scale. The Ricoh Arena, Coventry City's stadium since 2005, holds 32,600 seats and lies about 3 miles north of the city centre. A stadium that size is a reminder that many people play football or follow it, but it tells us nothing about how many have joint trouble. For anyone with a past knee injury, the relevant questions are practical. Is there pain on stairs or after walking? Has the meniscus been involved? Does the joint swell after activity?

For hands and wrists, the service text lists pain and stiffness in the small joints of the fingers and wrist. For the ankle it lists pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries. The doctor decides the joint, the method and the number of injections after looking at your scans.

Exercise stays part of the plan. The service text says you can and should exercise with osteoarthritis. Suitable activity builds the muscles that unload the joint and keeps you moving. It recommends swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga. It advises avoiding running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements. If your work involves heavy lifting, mention it at the consultation, because it affects what the doctor advises.

Waiting lists, NHS routes and where an online opinion fits

The NHS describes hip replacement as an option when hip pain and stiffness has a big effect on life and other treatments have not worked. Osteoarthritis is named as the leading cause of hip problems that reach that point. For weight loss surgery, the NHS says it may be offered at a BMI of 40 or more. It may also be offered at a BMI of 35 to 40 with a condition that might improve with weight loss, and arthritis is one of the examples. The person must agree to lifestyle changes and check-ups, and availability varies across areas of the UK.

Waiting time is the practical problem. NHS England's statistical press notice of 10 September 2026 reports 7.3 million referral-to-treatment pathways waiting to start treatment at the end of July 2026. That is around 6.2 million unique patients, and 111,379 had waited more than 52 weeks. These are national totals and say nothing about a specific hospital or joint, but they explain why many people look for a second opinion while waiting.

This is where an online consultation can help. You send your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound, and a doctor reviews them free of charge. The doctor establishes the stage and says whether treatment without surgery is realistic. The service describes SVF and PRP treatment as an injection instead of an operation, using your own blood and adipose tissue. If the joint is already badly worn, the doctor will say frankly that a joint replacement is more realistic. In that case you leave with a clearer picture to take back to your GP.

Treatment with your own cells is not a replacement for NHS care, and it should not be presented as one. It is an additional option, and the consultation is free with no obligation. Questions about how it relates to your NHS pathway can go to the coordinator, who answers round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram.

Preparing your scans and what the procedure involves

Existing scans can be sent before the consultation. An X-ray remains the main method and shows the stage. MRI gives a detailed picture of cartilage and soft tissues. Ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory diseases. If you have had scans through the NHS, ask for copies of the images and reports. The doctor reviews whatever you have.

The steps are as follows. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein to prepare platelet-rich plasma. Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and stitches are not needed. The sample is spun in a centrifuge, the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and it is blended with the plasma. The material is then injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. There are no crutches and no hospital stay, and the whole procedure is done in one day.

Some conditions mean the treatment is not suitable: cancer, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders and acute infections, including infection in or near the joint. A flare-up of a serious chronic illness also rules it out. Temporary reasons to wait are a raised temperature, a cold or flu, or inflamed skin above the target joint. In a Coventry winter, a cold or flu is a realistic reason to postpone, so tell the coordinator if you are unwell.

Bank holidays can affect scheduling of local services, and GOV.UK lists Christmas Day on 25 December and the substitute Boxing Day on 28 December in 2026. Online consultations do not depend on those dates, because coordinators answer round the clock.

Does Coventry's cold weather make osteoarthritis worse?

The figures show January as the coldest month, with a mean maximum of 7.2 °C and a mean minimum of 1.8 °C, and December and January are the dullest months. Stiffness after rest is a typical sign of osteoarthritis, so some people notice it more in winter. We cannot say that weather causes the wear. Keep a note of when your joint is worst and share it with the doctor at the consultation.

I am under 45. Can I still ask about osteoarthritis treatment?

Yes. The NHS says a GP may suspect osteoarthritis in people aged 45 or older, but risk is also higher after joint injury. The service text lists recovery after injuries and surgery, and meniscus problems, among the conditions treated. Send your scans and the doctor will assess the stage free of charge.

How does my weight affect the treatment plan?

Body weight is one of the factors that determine how long an effect lasts, along with the stage of the condition and your activity. NHS Digital's 2022 survey found 29% of adults living with obesity nationally, and knees and hips carry the greatest load. The doctor will discuss weight openly at the consultation. Controlling weight and exercising make a real difference.

I am on an NHS waiting list. Can I still get an opinion on my scans?

Yes. NHS England reported 7.3 million pathways waiting at the end of July 2026, so many people wait a long time. You can send your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound and receive a free review while you wait. The doctor will tell you whether treatment without surgery suits your stage, or whether replacement is more realistic.

Will the NHS pay for this treatment?

We cannot confirm NHS funding for SVF and PRP injections. The NHS describes hip replacement as an option when pain and stiffness have a big effect on life and other treatments have not worked. Ask your GP what is available in your area, and ask our coordinator what applies to the plan the doctor proposes. The consultation itself is free.

Which scans should I collect before the consultation?

Send any X-ray, MRI or ultrasound you already have, together with any blood test results. The X-ray shows the stage, MRI shows cartilage and soft tissues, and ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid. If you have only reports, send those too, and the coordinator will say if anything else is needed.

When would be a good time of year to plan the procedure?

There is no medical rule tied to a season. The procedure takes one day, the joint may ache a little more in the first week, and the pain usually eases by about one month. Mobility improves at around three months, and the full effect develops by about six months. Consider your work, sport and any cold or flu, which would mean waiting. The coordinator will help you choose a time.

Can I keep up sport or physical work if I have osteoarthritis?

Suitable activity is recommended: swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga. The service text advises avoiding running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements. If your job is physical or you play sport regularly, tell the doctor, because high load on the joints is one of the reasons the treatment may suit you.