1Consultation 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.
Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Hamburg
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
Consultation and review of your scansFree
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What it is
What is osteoarthritis
(arthrosis)?
In this chronic disease — osteoarthritis, or arthrosis — joint cartilage is gradually worn thin. Losing the cartilage cushion lets bone rub against bone, which brings pain, stiffness and a smaller range of motion. It is classed as degenerative, not inflammatory, even though swelling may come with flare-ups.
Most often it hits the most heavily loaded joints — knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis) — along with the ankle and the small hand joints. Early and moderate stages respond best, before serious damage to the joint surfaces; at an advanced stage the doctor will be honest with you if replacing the joint is the more realistic path.
- No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
- Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
- Ultrasound guidance for every injection
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
- 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 cold, flu or fever, or inflamed skin over the joint planned for treatment
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 opinionFree of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send
How it works
How the procedure goes: step by step
1
2Blood sample for PRP
Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is prepared from it.
3Adipose tissue sample
Through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and under local anaesthetic, about 30 ml of adipose tissue is collected. No stitches are required.
4Processing in a centrifuge
In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
5Injection into the joint
With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.
6Follow-up
Crutches and a hospital stay are not required. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure, following 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
The treatment relies solely on your own blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic material
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
First a small sample of adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — cells involved in tissue repair. This fraction, combined with your plasma, is then injected into the affected joint.
Early and moderate osteoarthritis is where it is mostly used — to slow cartilage wear and reduce 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
We separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors from a small blood sample and inject it into the joint. This helps quieten inflammation and supports better conditions for tissue repair.
It is a common option in mild osteoarthritis and is combined with SVF where 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
Joints
Joints we treat
Small and large joints are treated; the doctor determines the joint, method and number of injections after looking at your scans
KneeMeniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
HipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
ShoulderWorn joint and surrounding tendons, with pain when the arm is raised
ElbowPain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn 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
We work to keep the joint you have instead of replacing it, using treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
The treatment relies solely on your own blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation
Second opinion
Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send
Support after the procedure
We stay in touch after the procedure and follow the result, not just 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
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Request a free callPrice
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
Cost varies with the stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method — the doctor states it after the consultation
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.
It means gradual wear of the cartilage on the ends of the bones in a joint. With thinning cartilage the joint loses cushioning, bones rub against each other and pain, stiffness and crunching set in — a degenerative, not an inflammatory, condition.
In many cases it can be, provided treatment starts in time. The goal of SVF and PRP injections is to ease pain and support cartilage without an operation; replacing the joint is the last resort once it is destroyed.
For many patients, first changes come 2–3 weeks after the procedure; a stable result forms over about six months and may last from several months up to several years, depending on the person. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that needs an ongoing plan, not one injection.
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.
Mostly the heavily loaded knees, hips and ankles, along with the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for all these joints.
In most cases it progresses: the pain becomes constant, movement narrows, the joint may deform and walking can get difficult. A real difference comes from early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor.
The main tool is an X-ray, showing the stage. For detail on cartilage and soft tissues there is MRI; ultrasound reveals inflammation and fluid in the joint; blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions. The doctor can look at results you already have free of charge.
With osteoarthritis the cartilage wears down: you get aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest. With arthritis there is inflammation: pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The treatment approach is different, so diagnosis comes first.
Yes, you can. Send the X-rays, MRI or test results; a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the osteoarthritis stage and recommend a non-surgical plan if suitable.
Yes, you should exercise. Correct activity strengthens the muscles that relieve the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and keeps you mobile. Swimming, cycling, water aerobics, yoga and Nordic walking are good; jumping, heavy lifting, sudden movements and running on hard surfaces are not.
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.