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Osteoarthritis Treatment in Eldoret: Steps and Results

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

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 is a chronic condition, also referred to as arthrosis, in which the joint's cartilage thins and erodes step by step. As the cushioning layer fails, bones start rubbing together — the source of pain, stiffness and a reduced range of movement. It is a wear-related, degenerative disease; swollen flare-ups can still appear.

  • 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; a cold or the flu; skin inflammation above 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 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

Examination of the joint plus a review of your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound tells the doctor whether the procedure is suitable. If you have scans already, you can send them before the appointment.

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

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 centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The sample is centrifuged so that it splits into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is then isolated and mixed with platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Using ultrasound guidance, the doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint so it is placed precisely.

Follow-up6

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.

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

The treatment relies solely on your own blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic material

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

The method uses the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a mix of cells that support tissue repair, isolated by processing a small sample of your adipose tissue. It is injected into the affected joint along with your own plasma.

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

Platelet- and growth-factor-rich plasma is separated from a small amount of your blood and then injected into the joint, helping to calm inflammation and create better conditions for tissue repair.

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

It is often applied in mild osteoarthritis, and alongside SVF when a stronger effect is called for.

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

  • KneeKneeMeniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderRaising the arm is painful; wear of the joint and nearby tendons
  • ElbowElbowOveruse or sports strain causing pain; worn joint surfaces
  • 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

We aim to preserve your own joint rather than replace it, with treatment that avoids surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

The treatment relies solely on your own blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic material

No crutches

No crutches

No incisions, only punctures — local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Send X-rays, MRI or reports and receive a doctor's independent assessment for free

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

Request a free call

Price

Osteoarthritis treatment prices

The cost depends on the joint, the stage of osteoarthritis and the method, so the doctor names it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

What Eldoret residents ask about osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of a joint gradually thins and wears away. For patients from Eldoret, it usually shows as aching pain on movement, stiffness after rest and crunching in the joint.

Many patients in Eldoret 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.

Patients from Eldoret can start with a free review of their scans: the doctor assesses the stage of osteoarthritis and tells you whether non-surgical treatment makes sense. The price is named at the consultation.

Eldoret and the question of joint pain

Eldoret is a city in the Rift Valley region of Kenya and the capital of Uasin Gishu County. It lies south of the Cherang'any Hills in western Kenya. In 2019 the census counted 475,716 people, which made it the fifth most populated urban area in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Ruiru. In August 2024 this long-standing municipality was given city status. For residents, osteoarthritis is not an abstract topic. Knees, hips, hands and the spine carry the load of a working life, and many people in the city notice the first stiffness long before they decide to ask a specialist about it.

City Medical Centre works with patients from Eldoret through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send your question after a shift, in the evening or at the weekend. You do not need to arrange your day around a clinic queue. You describe your joints, attach existing images and reports, and receive a structured explanation of whether the cell-based approach described below fits your situation.

This text is a planning guide written for people who live in Eldoret. It links the procedure to the climate, rhythm and habits of the city, and it lists the questions worth putting to a surgeon before any decision is made.

What the procedure is and what it is not

The method discussed here is SVF therapy, based on your own adipose tissue. Under local anaesthetic, a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed. The material is then processed and used as part of a plan to support the joint. It is a minimally invasive step, not a joint replacement.

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. That sentence matters for a city like Eldoret, where people tend to be active and to expect quick results. The procedure is one element next to movement, weight control, strengthening exercises and regular review. A person who treats it as a one-time fix is likely to be disappointed, while a person who builds a routine around it has a more realistic picture of what to expect.

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. No honest specialist can promise a particular outcome, and you should be wary of anyone who does.

Highland climate and recovery

Eldoret lies at over 2,000 m above sea level, with local elevation from about 2,100 metres to more than 2,700 metres in nearby areas. The climate is subtropical highland, moderate to cool. Nights are cold, and in the cold season from May to August the temperature is regularly in the single digits Celsius. The warm season is the driest and the cool season is the wettest.

For a person with joint disease this has practical consequences. Cold, damp mornings often make stiffness feel worse, so plan your first hours after getting up: warm clothing, gentle movement before standing for long, and a warm room. During recovery after the puncture, keep the small wound clean and dry and avoid wet, muddy ground where a slip could injure a sensitive knee or hip.

In the dry warm months the main concerns are dust on unpaved roads and strong highland sun. Light, loose clothing over the treated area, a hat for outdoor errands and enough drinking water are sensible general habits. Your surgeon will give personal instructions on dressings and any support garments, and those instructions take priority over general advice.

Choosing the season for the procedure

There is no single correct month in Eldoret, but the weather pattern helps you think it through. The cool season, May to August, is the wettest. Rain makes walking surfaces slippery, and cold can increase joint discomfort in the early recovery days. The warm, dry season offers easier movement outdoors, though dust and sun need attention.

Think about your own calendar as much as about the weather. Farm work in a region known for grain, dairy and horticulture follows planting and harvest cycles, and a person who works the land will want to plan around the busiest weeks. Teachers and students tie their plans to the academic year, since Eldoret hosts the largest university student population outside the capital. Office and factory workers may prefer a quieter period at the workplace.

The first changes may appear 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and the stable result forms over about six months. Choose a start date that lets you keep your exercise routine and follow-up during this long period, not just the first few days. Your coordinator can help you build a calendar after the online consultation.

Work, study and the rhythm of the city

Eldoret is a trading centre with a large market, a manufacturing sector and surrounding farmland. Many residents stand for long hours, lift loads or work in the fields and workshops. Others sit for long periods in offices, lecture halls and vehicles. Both patterns strain the joints in different ways: prolonged standing and lifting load the knees, hips and spine, while sitting still leads to stiffness.

A puncture under local anaesthetic without stitches is a small intervention, and many people can think about returning to light duties soon, but the exact timing is decided by the surgeon after assessing your joint, your job and how you feel. Ask directly: when can I stand a full shift, carry loads, drive, or sit through a long day? A person with a physically demanding job should expect a more careful plan than a person at a desk.

Students and lecturers in the city can often plan more flexibly. Ask whether a lighter schedule in the first days is advisable and how to manage walking between buildings on a large campus. Share your timetable during the consultation so the advice matches your real week.

Sport, running culture and activity after treatment

Eldoret and nearby Iten are known as the hometown and training ground of many Kenyan distance runners. The altitude draws middle and long-distance athletes, and the city has a stadium, a marathon and rugby and football teams. Even if you are not a professional, you probably have friends or relatives who run, play rugby or follow the local events. It is natural that patients here ask first about sport.

With osteoarthritis the question needs to be put honestly. Running on hard surfaces can load an arthritic knee or hip, and a return to training after any joint procedure should be gradual and agreed with the surgeon. Ask which activities are suitable at your stage, such as walking, cycling on flat ground or swimming, and which should be reduced. Ask when the joint can take more load and what signs of overload to watch for.

For many people the realistic goal is to stay active in a way the joint tolerates: daily walking, strengthening of the muscles around the joint, and moderate recreation. Weight management also helps, since excess body weight is a recognised factor in the burden on joints, and the WHO has published general information on overweight and obesity. Your specialist can explain how this applies to you personally.

Candidates, stages and when surgery is needed

Not everyone with joint pain is a candidate. 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. These conditions need their own diagnosis and treatment, so a clear diagnosis comes before any decision about cell therapy.

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. This is why imaging and clinical history matter, and why you should send your existing X-rays or reports during the online consultation.

General reasons for caution include an active infection, an untreated inflammatory disease and other conditions that your doctor will review with you. The surgeon makes the final decision. Clinical guidance such as NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), emphasises assessment and an individual management plan, and that matches the way a responsible consultation should work.

How the online consultation works from Eldoret

You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they work 24/7. You describe your symptoms: which joint, since when, what makes the pain better or worse, and whether the pain wakes you at night. You attach images and test results if you have them.

The case is then reviewed and you receive an explanation of the options, in a free online consultation. You can ask as many questions as you need, and you can take time to think. Nothing requires you to decide on the same day.

Prepare your questions beforehand. Ask about your stage and whether the method suits it, what the 30 ml portion of adipose tissue involves, what to expect in the first 2–3 weeks, how the six-month period of stabilisation looks, how long the effect may last, what follow-up and additional measures are advised, what alternatives exist and what happens if the result is smaller than hoped.

Does osteoarthritis treatment with SVF cure the disease?

No. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. SVF therapy is considered as a way to support the joint, particularly at early stages, and it works together with exercise, weight control and follow-up.

How much tissue is taken, and does it need stitches?

Under local anaesthetic, a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. No stitches are needed.

When will I notice a change?

Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result forms over about six months. The response differs from person to person.

How long can the result last?

It can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual. For that reason a long-term plan with your doctor matters more than a single event.

Is the method suitable at any stage?

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. A review of your images will show where you stand.

Does the cold Eldoret climate affect my joints?

The town lies over 2,000 m above sea level, nights are cold and the period from May to August is the wettest and coolest. Many people with joint disease find stiffness more noticeable in cold, damp mornings, so warm clothing and gentle movement after waking are sensible. Your surgeon will give personal advice.

I run and play sport in Eldoret. Can I go back to it?

Return to sport is gradual and depends on the joint and the stage. Ask your surgeon which activities are suitable now, which to reduce, and when more load is reasonable. Do not restart intense training on your own.

What symptoms suggest arthritis rather than simple wear?

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. These need a proper diagnosis before any other plan.

How do I begin the consultation from Eldoret?

Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram. They are available around the clock (24/7). The online consultation is free, and you can send images, reports and your questions in one message.