Arthrosis Treatment in Johannesburg Without Surgery
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)?
With osteoarthritis (arthrosis), the cartilage that lines a joint gradually wears away over time. This cartilage is the joint's shock absorber, and when it is lost the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and limited mobility. The condition is degenerative, not inflammatory, although it can flare up with swelling.
Weight-bearing joints suffer most: the knee (gonarthrosis), the hip (coxarthrosis), and also the ankle and small hand joints. Results are strongest at early and moderate stages, before heavy damage to the joint surfaces. When the stage is advanced, the doctor will honestly explain 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 or small joints: your scans come first, then the doctor decides on the joint, the method and the number of injections
Elbow
Wear of joint surfaces, pain after heavy use or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Painful, stiff small joints of the wrist and fingers
Knee
Pain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Raising the arm is painful; wear of the joint and nearby tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
A small sample of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a mix of cells involved in tissue repair. Combined with your own plasma, it is 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
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.
Used often in mild osteoarthritis, it is added to SVF when a more pronounced effect is required.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
We take a small amount of blood from a vein, which is later used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
With local anaesthetic, a small amount of adipose tissue — around 30 ml — is obtained through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and no stitches are needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
A centrifuge separates the sample into layers. From them the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Directly into the affected joint, under ultrasound guidance — this is how the prepared material is injected for precise placement.
Follow-up
You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact afterwards and monitors the joint's response.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
Blood sample for PRP
We take a small amount of blood from a vein, which is later used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
With local anaesthetic, a small amount of adipose tissue — around 30 ml — is obtained through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and no stitches are needed.
Processing in a centrifuge
A centrifuge separates the sample into layers. From them the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Directly into the affected joint, under ultrasound guidance — this is how the prepared material is injected for precise placement.
Follow-up
You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact afterwards and monitors the joint's response.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits show the doctor how your joint responds so the plan can be adjusted; usually pain eases within the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect takes around six months to develop.
Conditions we treat
After an examination and a review of your scans, a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you
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 cold, flu or fever, or inflamed skin over the joint planned for treatment
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 go home on the same day and are back to their usual daily activity within a day or two, with small dressings over the puncture sites. The joint may ache a little more during the first week — an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts varies between people and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — nobody can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular, joint-friendly exercise help the result last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Your own joint is kept, not replaced — we treat without surgery
Your own tissue
Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials used — nothing donor or synthetic
No crutches
No incisions, only punctures — local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge
Support after the procedure
We stay in touch after the procedure and follow the result, not just the day of the injection
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
Cost varies with the stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method — the doctor states 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?
The cartilage that covers the bone ends in a joint slowly wears away. Once it thins, cushioning is lost, bone rubs on bone and pain, stiffness and crunching appear. This is a degenerative condition, not an inflammatory one.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
In many cases yes, if you start treatment on time. Injections of SVF and PRP are aimed at easing pain and supporting cartilage without an operation. The last option, joint replacement, is for joints 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?
The most heavily loaded joints: the knees, hips and ankles, plus the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for all of them.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
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.
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?
Osteoarthritis means worn cartilage — aching pain when moving, crunching, stiffness after rest. Arthritis means inflammation — pain at night and at rest, swelling, redness, warmth over the joint. As the approach to treatment differs, the diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Your X-rays, MRI or test results are reviewed by a doctor free of charge, the stage of osteoarthritis is assessed, and a non-surgical plan is suggested if appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
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.
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Osteoarthritis treatment in Johannesburg: what you should know
Cartilage works as a shock absorber. When it thins, the bones start to rub against each other, and the joint becomes painful and less mobile. Osteoarthritis in Johannesburg is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling happen.
Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Johannesburg, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.
The cost of osteoarthritis treatment depends on the joint, the stage and the method, so the price is set at the consultation. For patients from Johannesburg, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.
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