Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatment in Dubai
For knees, hips and other joints with arthrosis: SVF cell therapy and PRP. We check the stage from your X-rays or MRI at no cost
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, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage lining a joint gradually thins and wears away. Cartilage works as a shock absorber; as it breaks down, the bones start to rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and a smaller range of movement. It is a degenerative rather than an inflammatory disease, although flare-ups with swelling do happen.
It tends to strike the joints under most load: knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis), ankle and the small joints of the hand. The best outcomes come at early and moderate stages, before the joint surfaces suffer major damage; at an advanced stage the doctor will be straightforward about joint replacement if it 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
From large joints to small ones — which joint, which method and how many injections is decided after the doctor studies your scans
Elbow
Pain from overuse or sports load, with worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Small finger and wrist joints that are stiff and painful
Knee
Cartilage wearing down, meniscus problems, pain on stairs and after a walk
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Wear of the joint and nearby tendons, pain when lifting the arm
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.
Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down cartilage wear.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
From a little of your blood, plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is separated and injected into the joint. It calms inflammation and gives tissue repair better conditions.
It is often applied in mild osteoarthritis, and alongside SVF when a stronger effect is called for.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you after examining the joint and reviewing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Scans you already have can be sent ahead of your visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and divides into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is taken out and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint so it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
No crutches are needed and there is no hospital stay. The doctor keeps in touch after the procedure to see how the joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you after examining the joint and reviewing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Scans you already have can be sent ahead of your visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
The sample goes into a centrifuge and divides into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is taken out and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint so it is placed precisely.
Follow-up
No crutches are needed and there is no hospital stay. The doctor keeps in touch after the procedure to see how the joint responds.
Follow-up visits
The plan is adjusted at follow-up visits, where the doctor sees how the joint responds. Pain usually eases in month one, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect appears over around six months.
Conditions we treat
Whether this treatment is right for you is a doctor's decision, made after an examination and a scan review
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: fever; a cold or the flu; skin inflammation above 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
Most people return home the same day, with small dressings on the puncture sites, and resume normal daily activity within a day or two. During the first week a little more joint ache is an expected reaction. Over the first month pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts depends on the person, the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors; no one can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular exercise that is kind to the joints help the result last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
We work on keeping your own joint rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Just your blood and your adipose tissue — no synthetic material and nothing from donors
No crutches
Punctures instead of incisions, local anaesthetic, 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
Our care goes beyond the day of the injection: we keep in touch and follow the result
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The cost depends on the joint, the stage of osteoarthritis and the method, so the doctor names it after the consultation
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?
Osteoarthritis is slow wear of the cartilage over the ends of the bones inside a joint. Thinner cartilage means less cushioning, so the bones rub and you get pain, stiffness and crunching. It is degenerative, not inflammatory.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Many patients can, if treatment is not delayed. The aim of SVF and PRP injections is to ease pain and support the cartilage without an operation, and joint replacement is the last option — for a joint already destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result forms over about six months and can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
The early and moderate stages. As a rule, the milder the stage, the faster and longer the effect, and regular hyaluronic acid injections may be needed less. A lasting effect cannot be expected at the most advanced stage, when the joint space has almost vanished.
Which joints are most often affected?
Load-bearing joints are most at risk: knees, hips, ankles — and also the spine and small hand joints. Regenerative treatment is used across all of these joints.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
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.
Which tests and scans are needed?
Diagnosis relies mainly on an X-ray, which shows the stage. MRI adds a detailed view of the cartilage and soft tissues, ultrasound picks up inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help exclude inflammatory conditions. Any results you have can be reviewed by the doctor 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?
Yes. Send your X-rays, MRI or test results, and a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and suggest a non-surgical plan if it is appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
Yes, it is worth doing. The right exercise strengthens the muscles unloading the joint, improves nutrition of the cartilage and maintains mobility. Swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga suit well; running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements should be avoided.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
About osteoarthritis treatment for patients from Dubai
The stage matters most. At early and moderate stages, SVF and PRP injections aim to ease pain, reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow cartilage wear. At the most advanced stage, the doctor will tell patients in Dubai honestly if joint replacement is the more realistic option.
Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Dubai, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.
A consultation is the first step for every patient from Dubai. It is free, and after it you know the stage, the method and the cost of treatment.
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