1Consultation 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.
Osteoarthritis in Dresden: Treatment by Stage
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
Consultation and review of your scansFree
Message us on WhatsAppFree online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes
Message our coordinator
Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes
Message us on TelegramMessage us on WhatsAppBy messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy
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.
It most often affects the joints that carry the most load — the knee (gonarthrosis) and the hip (coxarthrosis), as well as the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Treatment works best at early and moderate stages, before the joint surfaces are badly damaged; at an advanced stage the doctor will tell you honestly if joint replacement is the more realistic option.
- No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
- Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
- Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Who the treatment suits
A doctor decides whether the treatment suits you after examining you and reviewing your scans
Suitable
- 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
- Cancer
- Pregnancy
- Blood clotting disorders
- Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
- Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
- Temporary contraindications: a fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint 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 meWhat we treat
Conditions we treat
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions- Second opinionSend your X-rays, MRI or reports and a doctor will give an independent assessment free of charge
How it works
How the procedure goes: step by step
1
2Blood sample for PRP
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.
3Adipose tissue sample
A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, under local anaesthetic, is used to take a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml). No stitches afterwards.
4Processing 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.
5Injection into the joint
Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.
6Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Book a consultation
Call or message us — our coordinator will contact you shortly and book your consultation
Results
After the procedure
1 week
The joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction.
1 month
The pain usually eases.
~3 months
Mobility and activity improve.
~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 your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
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.
At early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis it is used mainly to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow 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 obtained from a small volume of your blood and injected into the joint, where it helps calm inflammation and improves conditions for tissue repair.
Mild osteoarthritis is a common indication; when a stronger effect is needed, it is used together with SVF.
- 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
Joints
Joints we treat
Large and small joints — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans
KneeStairs and walking cause pain; cartilage wear and meniscus problems
HipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
ShoulderLifting the arm hurts; the joint and surrounding tendons are worn
ElbowPain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist jointsSmall joints of the fingers and wrist: pain and stiffness
AnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Advantages
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Treatment without surgery that works to keep your own joint rather than swap it for an implant
Your own tissue
Only your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
Instead of incisions we use punctures, under local anaesthetic, with no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your X-rays, MRI or reports and a doctor will give an independent assessment free of charge
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
Contact us the way that suits you
We will answer your questions and find a convenient time for a consultation
- TelegramMessage us on TelegramMessage us on Telegram
- TelegramMessage us on TelegramMessage us on Telegram
- Message us on WhatsApp
By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Request a free callPrice
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor names the cost after the consultation — it depends on the joint, the method and how advanced the osteoarthritis is
Consultation and review of your scans
Free
Book — Consultation and review of your scansPRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma)
Price at consultation
Book — PRP therapy (platelet-rich plasma)Cell therapy (SVF + PRP), one joint
Price at consultation
Book — Cell therapy (SVF + PRP), one joint
FAQ
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
Doctors usually describe four stages, from early thinning of the cartilage to severe wear. Injection treatment is most often considered in the early and middle stages; the doctor decides after reviewing your X-ray or MRI.
The cartilage over the bone ends of a joint gradually wears out. As it becomes thinner, cushioning is lost and the bones rub against each other, bringing pain, stiffness and crunching. This is a degenerative disease, not an inflammatory one.
Often it can, as long as treatment is not postponed. SVF and PRP injections set out to reduce pain and support the cartilage, avoiding an operation; replacement of the joint is the last option when it is already destroyed.
Early changes are noticed by many patients 2–3 weeks after the procedure. The result stabilises over about six months and can last several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis being chronic, it requires an ongoing plan, not a one-off 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.
Knees, hips and ankles, as the joints carrying the most load, plus the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for each of these joints.
Generally it progresses — constant pain, increasingly limited movement, a possibly deformed joint and trouble walking. What makes a real difference is early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor.
An X-ray is the main method and shows the stage. MRI gives a detailed view of the cartilage and soft tissues, ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions. If you already have results, the doctor can review them free of charge.
Cartilage wear is osteoarthritis, marked by aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest; inflammation is arthritis, marked by pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Since treatment differs, a diagnosis comes first.
Certainly. Send your MRI, X-rays or test results for a free review: a doctor will assess the stage of osteoarthritis and suggest a non-surgical plan if it is appropriate.
Yes — exercise is encouraged. The right activity builds the muscles that take the load off the joint, improves how the cartilage is nourished and keeps you mobile. Try swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and avoid running on hard ground, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
About the conditions
More about these conditions
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.
At early stages, PRP or SVF injections combined with exercise therapy and physiotherapy can reduce pain and improve movement. If the joint is already badly damaged, replacement may be the more realistic option — the doctor will tell you honestly after seeing your scans.
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.