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
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
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
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large and small joints — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans
Elbow
Pain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Small joints of the fingers and wrist: pain and stiffness
Knee
Stairs and walking cause pain; cartilage wear and meniscus problems
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Lifting the arm hurts; the joint and surrounding tendons are worn
Methods we use
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.
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.
How the procedure goes: step by step
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 PRP
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose 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.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
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 PRP
A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose 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.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits let the doctor see how the joint responds and adjust the plan — pain usually eases over the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
Conditions we treat
A doctor decides whether the treatment suits you after examining you and reviewing your scans
What we work with
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions
Contraindications
Cancer
Pregnancy
Blood clotting disorders
Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
Cancer
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Serious heart, kidney or liver disease
Temporary contraindications: a fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint to be treated
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
Usually you leave the same day and return to everyday activity within a day or two; the puncture sites just need small dressings. The joint can ache a bit more in the first week — this reaction is expected. Pain typically eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long the result lasts is individual and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors; a fixed result cannot be promised by anyone. A healthy weight and regular joint-friendly exercise help it last.
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
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor names the cost after the consultation — it depends on the joint, the method and how advanced the osteoarthritis is
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is osteoarthritis in simple terms?
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.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
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.
How soon will I notice a result?
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.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
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.
Which joints are most often affected?
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.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
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.
Which tests and scans are needed?
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.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
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.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
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.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
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.
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How osteoarthritis is treated without surgery for Dresden residents
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 Dresden.
The right activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint and helps cartilage nutrition. Patients from Dresden are advised swimming, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and to avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping and heavy lifting.
Book a free consultation in Dresden to find out whether SVF or PRP could slow your osteoarthritis. The doctor names the price after examining the joint.
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