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Osteoarthritis Treatment in Kinshasa: Steps and Results

SVF cells and platelet-rich plasma for joints worn by arthrosis — knee, hip and others. Stage checked through a free review of your X-rays or MRI

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)?

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.

  • 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

A doctor examines you, reviews your scans and then decides whether the treatment is suitable

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: a fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over 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

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 PRP2

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.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

The doctor numbs the area with local anaesthetic and takes about 30 ml of adipose tissue through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh; stitches are not required.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The prepared material goes straight into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No crutches, no stay in hospital. The doctor keeps in contact after the procedure and watches how your 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

Your own blood and adipose tissue only; donor and synthetic material are not used

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.

A doctor explains SVF cell therapy for the knee to a patient on a tablet

Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down cartilage wear.

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

A small blood sample provides plasma rich in platelets and growth factors; this is injected into the joint to help ease inflammation and create better conditions for the tissue to repair.

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

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

Book a consultation

Joints

Joints we treat

Treatment for both large and small joints — your scans guide the doctor's choice of joint, method and number of injections

  • KneeKneePain after walking and climbing stairs, worn cartilage, meniscus problems
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain on raising the arm; wear of the joint and the tendons around it
  • ElbowElbowPain from overuse or sports load, with worn joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your own joint instead of replacing it: that is the goal of treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Your own blood and adipose tissue only; donor and synthetic material are not used

No crutches

No crutches

Only punctures, no incisions — under local anaesthetic and without a long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We keep in contact after the procedure and monitor the result, rather than stopping on 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 price depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis, so the doctor gives it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis treatment in Kinshasa: a short guide

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 Kinshasa 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 Kinshasa, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.

Patients from Kinshasa 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.

Kinshasa and the question of joint pain

Kinshasa is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and it is one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. The metropolitan area is estimated at around 18,552,800 people as of January 2026. In a city of this size, people with painful knees, hips and hands come from every walk of life: office employees in Gombe, teachers and students, traders at the markets, drivers, builders and people who spend the day on their feet at home and at work.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. That is why a patient in Kinshasa should think about a long-term plan rather than one single procedure. The plan includes an accurate diagnosis, a sensible load on the joint, weight control, regular movement and, when it is suitable, a regenerative option such as SVF therapy based on the patient's own adipose tissue.

City Medical Centre works with patients from Kinshasa through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, so you can send your questions, imaging results and previous medical notes at a convenient moment, including late in the evening after a long day in a city that rarely slows down.

Osteoarthritis or arthritis: what to clarify first

Many people in Kinshasa use the word arthritis for any joint pain, but the two conditions are different. 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.

Osteoarthritis, by contrast, is usually linked to wear and load on the joint and tends to hurt more during or after activity. The distinction matters because inflammatory arthritis needs its own diagnosis and treatment by a rheumatologist, and a regenerative procedure is not a substitute for that.

During the online consultation the coordinator will ask when the pain appears, whether it wakes you at night, how long the morning stiffness lasts and whether the joint is swollen or warm. Write these observations down for a few days beforehand. Clear notes help the doctor decide whether the picture looks like osteoarthritis, an inflammatory process or a mixture, and what tests are still needed.

Climate of Kinshasa and its effect on recovery

Kinshasa has a tropical wet and dry climate. The rainy season is long, from October through May, and the dry season is short, from June to September. The dry season is slightly cooler than the wet season, but temperatures stay fairly constant through the year. For recovery this means there is no cold season that forces you to plan around, but heat and humidity are present almost all the time.

After an adipose tissue harvest, the small puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh should be kept clean and dry. In warm and humid weather, sweating can irritate the skin, so loose breathable clothing is more comfortable than tight synthetic fabric. Follow the surgeon's instructions about dressings and about when you may wash normally.

Heavy rain can make the roads of a large flat city difficult, and the wet months are a practical reason to plan follow-up contact by message rather than by moving around the city. Avoid standing for hours in the heat during the first days, keep drinking water regularly, and rest the treated joint when it feels tired. These are general recommendations; your doctor gives the personal ones.

Daily life, work and movement in a megacity

Kinshasa stretches along the southern shore of the Pool Malebo on the Congo River, across flat, low-lying terrain. The city is large, and many residents spend a lot of time moving between communes, climbing steps, queuing, carrying loads and standing at work. All of this loads the knees and hips, so it is worth discussing your real daily routine with the doctor and not only the imaging results.

Think about how you travel inside the city each day, whether your work is sedentary or on your feet, how many stairs you meet at home, and whether you carry children or goods. Small changes, such as sitting when you can, sharing heavy loads and taking short breaks, protect the joint while it is being treated.

After the procedure the plan for returning to work depends on the job. Office and administrative work is usually easier to resume than work that needs long standing or lifting. Ask the doctor to describe, in plain terms, which activities to avoid and for how long, and agree on a gradual return rather than a sudden one.

Food, family events and weight

Family gatherings, church events, weddings and long shared meals are an important part of life in Kinshasa. Planning the procedure around a big family event reduces stress: it is more comfortable to recover calmly than to stand for hours at a celebration in the first days after the harvest.

Body weight is one of the main factors in knee and hip osteoarthritis, because every extra kilogram increases the load on the joint. The World Health Organization treats overweight and obesity as a major health issue worldwide and recommends balanced eating and regular physical activity. For a patient in Kinshasa this can mean paying attention to portion size, fried and sugary foods, sweet drinks, and building more walking into the day.

Do not start a strict diet without medical advice, especially around the procedure. A gradual, realistic change that fits your family meals is easier to maintain, and osteoarthritis needs this long-term approach.

How SVF therapy works and what to expect

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 tissue is then processed, and the doctor decides on the next step according to the joint and the stage of the disease.

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 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 the stage of your osteoarthritis, confirmed by examination and imaging, is the first thing the doctor will want to know.

Who is a candidate and who is not

The best conversation starts with your diagnosis. People with early-stage osteoarthritis who still have a functioning joint are the group in which regenerative therapy is most often discussed. If the joint is badly damaged, the doctor will say honestly that surgery is the usual route.

Inflammatory arthritis, active infection, a serious general illness or a tendency to bleed need separate evaluation, and they may be reasons to postpone or decline the procedure. Tell the doctor about every medication, including blood thinners and anti-inflammatory tablets, and about previous operations.

The general guidance used in many countries, for example the NICE guideline on osteoarthritis in over 16s (NG226), places emphasis on correct diagnosis, education, exercise and weight management as the base of care. Regenerative therapy is discussed as one part of a broader plan, not as a replacement for it.

When to plan the procedure in Kinshasa

Since temperatures hardly change, the choice of season depends more on rain and on your calendar. The dry months from June to September are usually easier for moving around the city and for follow-up walking. The rainy season from October to May is also possible if you arrange rest at home and avoid unnecessary outings in heavy rain.

Choose a period without major work deadlines, exams, or family obligations. Students at the city's universities may prefer a quieter time between exam sessions. Workers should discuss leave with the employer in advance.

Keep the first days free for rest, and plan gentle walking afterwards as the doctor allows. Ask about swimming and sport before the event, because the instructions on pools, rivers and sport depend on the healing of the puncture area.

How the remote consultation from Kinshasa works

The first contact is free and online. Write to the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, available around the clock, and describe your complaint. Send available X-rays, MRI or ultrasound images, laboratory results and the names of medicines you take.

The doctor studies the material, asks clarifying questions and explains whether SVF therapy is appropriate for your stage. If it is not, you will hear why and what alternatives to discuss with a local specialist.

Keep your messages organised: one joint at a time, with dates of imaging, a list of treatments you have tried and their effect. A clear history shortens the discussion and makes the recommendation more precise.

Can I get a consultation from Kinshasa without leaving the city?

Yes. The first consultation is free and online. Coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram, and you can send your images and notes from home.

What is the difference between arthritis and osteoarthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints with 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. Osteoarthritis is a chronic wear-related condition that usually hurts more with load.

How is the tissue taken?

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 changes?

Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result forms over about six months.

How long does the effect last?

It 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.

Is SVF therapy suitable at every 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.

Does the humid climate of Kinshasa affect healing?

Heat and humidity are present most of the year, so keep the puncture area clean and dry, wear loose breathable clothing, and follow the doctor's instructions on dressings and washing.

Which season is better for the procedure?

Temperatures stay fairly constant. Many people prefer the drier months from June to September for moving around, but the rainy months are also possible with good planning.

What should I ask the doctor?

Ask about the stage of your osteoarthritis, whether you are a suitable candidate, what activities to avoid, when to return to work and sport, and what long-term plan should follow.

Does weight matter for my joints?

Yes. Extra weight increases the load on knees and hips. Gradual changes in food and activity, agreed with a doctor, support any treatment plan.