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Arthrosis Treatment in Kira Without Surgery

SVF therapy and PRP injections for arthrosis in knees, hips and other joints — and a complimentary review of your MRI or X-rays to find 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)?

In osteoarthritis, sometimes called arthrosis, the joint's cartilage lining wears away bit by bit over years. That cartilage normally absorbs shock; once it breaks down, bone rubs on bone and the joint becomes painful, stiff and less mobile. It is a disease of wear rather than inflammation, even if episodes of swelling happen.

  • 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: flu or a cold, fever, or skin inflammation over the joint being 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

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.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken — it will later be used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Local anaesthetic is used while a small portion of adipose tissue, about 30 ml, is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. The site needs no stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

The sample is spun in a centrifuge and separates into layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed with the 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 and no hospital stay. The doctor stays in touch after the procedure and follows 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

Only your own adipose tissue and blood — no synthetic or donor material

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

SVF — the stromal vascular fraction — is a mixture of repair-related cells isolated from a small sample of your own adipose tissue. It is injected into the affected joint together with your plasma.

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

Its main use is at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis, to slow the wear of cartilage and lessen friction between the joint surfaces.

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

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.

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

For mild osteoarthritis it is often used alone, and with SVF when the effect needs to be stronger.

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 problems, cartilage wear and pain when walking or on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain on raising the arm; wear of the joint and the tendons around it
  • ElbowElbowWorn joint surfaces and pain following overuse or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPainful, stiff small joints of the wrist and fingers
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We work on keeping your own joint rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Only your own adipose tissue and blood — no synthetic or donor material

No crutches

No crutches

No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions

Second opinion

Second opinion

Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

Not just the injection day — we stay in touch after the procedure and follow your result

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

Pricing depends on which joint, which method and the stage of osteoarthritis; the doctor gives the cost after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis treatment in Kira: a short guide

Osteoarthritis is not the same as arthritis. Arthrosis is wear of the cartilage; arthritis is inflammation with pain at rest, swelling and warmth. The approach differs, so the diagnosis comes first for everyone in Kira.

The right activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint and helps cartilage nutrition. Patients from Kira are advised swimming, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and to avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping and heavy lifting.

Book a free consultation in Kira to find out whether SVF or PRP could slow your osteoarthritis. The doctor names the price after examining the joint.

Osteoarthritis in Kira: why a city plan matters

Kira Town is a municipality in the Wakiso District of the Central Region of Uganda, administered by the Kira Town Council. In 2020 the Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimated its population at 462,900 people, which makes it the second most populous urban centre in the country after Kampala. A town of this size has many people who spend their days on their feet, carry loads, climb steps, sit through long journeys to work and care for relatives. All of this puts demands on knees, hips, hands and the spine, and it is why questions about joint pain come up so often.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. That single fact shapes everything else in this text: it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. For a resident of Kira, the plan has to fit the real rhythm of the town, meaning the working week, the family calendar, the school term and the daily movement between home and work. A treatment that looks good on paper but ignores these routines is rarely followed for long.

The free online consultation with the City Medical Centre is built around this idea. You describe your joint, your daily load and your goals from your own home in Kira, and the coordinators help you prepare for a conversation with a specialist. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on WhatsApp and Telegram, so a question that occurs to you late in the evening after a long day does not have to wait.

A fast-growing town and the weight on its joints

Kira has grown quickly. The population was 140,774 at the 2002 census, 317,157 at the August 2014 census, and 462,900 in the 2020 estimate. The statistics agency calculated an average growth of 6.68 percent a year between 2014 and 2020. Part of this growth is linked to the closeness of Kampala: Kira is described as a bedroom community for the capital, so many residents leave early, spend hours in transport and come back tired.

Long sitting in a vehicle followed by a sudden walk or climb is not kind to stiff joints. Many people from towns like Kira notice that the first steps after a long sit are the most painful, and this is a detail worth telling your doctor. It helps to separate mechanical pain, which grows with load and eases with rest, from inflammatory pain, which is present at rest and at night.

Body weight is the other practical topic. The World Health Organization treats excess weight as a major health issue, and for knees and hips the connection is easy to understand: every extra kilogram is carried by the joint with each step. A sensible plan for a Kira resident therefore includes gradual, realistic work on weight and activity together with any procedure, not instead of it. Ask in the consultation how to build this into an ordinary working week.

Is it osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis?

Patients from Kira often arrive with the single word «arthritis» and it is worth being precise, because the two situations are managed differently. 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 a slowly developing wear-related condition, with pain that rises with activity. The two can overlap, and only a proper examination, and where needed tests and imaging, can separate them. Do not decide this for yourself on the basis of a neighbour's story or a message in a family group chat.

In the online consultation, prepare a short note: which joint, since when, what time of day is worst, whether there is morning stiffness and for how long, whether the joint becomes red or warm, and whether you have other conditions such as gout or psoriasis. Clear notes make the first conversation far more useful. Clinical guidance such as NICE guideline NG226, on osteoarthritis in people over 16, stresses accurate diagnosis and an individual management plan, and that is the standard to expect from any specialist who reviews your case.

What SVF therapy is and who may be considered

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 to obtain the stromal vascular fraction, which is the material used in SVF therapy. For a busy resident of Kira, the small size of the puncture matters, because the treated area is easy to protect under ordinary clothing.

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 distinction is the most honest message a patient can hear: the earlier the stage, the more options remain open, and the later the stage, the more likely it is that an operation will be discussed.

In general terms, good candidates are adults with confirmed early-stage joint disease who are ready to follow a long-term plan. Contraindications are decided individually and may include active infection, certain blood or immune conditions, and some other chronic illnesses. If you are unsure about your stage, bring any X-ray or MRI reports you already have to the consultation. Even photographs of reports, sent through WhatsApp or Telegram, are a good start.

Timeline: what to expect and when

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. Understanding this timeline protects you from two mistakes: expecting an instant change, and giving up too early.

Think of the six months as a period in which you also work on the surroundings of the joint. Gentle movement, strengthening advice from a physiotherapist, sensible footwear and weight control all support the result. In a town as busy as Kira, where the day can fill up quickly, it helps to write the plan down and fix it to the days you already know, for example after the evening meal or before the morning commute.

Ask the specialist what a good sign looks like at each stage and what should prompt you to get in touch earlier. Because coordinators are reachable 24/7, you can report a concern at any hour instead of waiting and worrying. Keep a simple diary of pain, stiffness and activity, since it gives an objective picture when memory is unreliable.

Planning around work, study and family in Kira

Kira is home to commuters, traders, teachers, students and families. The town hosts the Shimoni Core Primary Teachers' College, which opened at Kitikifumba village in January 2011, and a campus of St. Augustine International University at Namugongo. Teachers spend long hours standing, and students and office workers spend long hours sitting; both patterns can aggravate joint complaints. Think honestly about which describes you, and tell the specialist.

Because the puncture is small and no stitches are needed, many people can plan a short, quiet period around the procedure and then return to ordinary tasks step by step. The exact timing of return to work, driving and sport must be agreed with your doctor, since it depends on the joint treated, your job and your general health. Desk work and work that needs heavy lifting or long standing call for very different advice.

For parents and carers, the practical issue is lifting children or relatives. Arrange help in advance with your spouse, relatives or neighbours so that you are not forced to lift or rush during the first weeks. For students and teachers, choose a quieter point in the term for the procedure if you can, and ask whether short breaks to change position are enough during lessons or lectures.

Heat, dust, hygiene and the wound area

Any procedure that includes a puncture needs clean, dry care of the treated area. The Public Health Department of Kira Municipality works on sanitation, safe drinking water and hygiene in schools, markets and other public places, and the same attitude applies at home: wash hands before touching the dressing, keep the puncture area clean and avoid crowded, dusty places while it heals if you can.

In hot weather, sweat and friction can irritate the wound under tight clothing, so choose loose, breathable fabrics. Protect the area from direct sun. If your doctor recommends a compression garment, wear it as instructed and keep it clean. Be careful with swimming pools, ponds and any open water until the doctor confirms that the area is closed and safe; do not decide this on your own.

Dust from unpaved surfaces and construction, which is common in quickly growing towns, is best kept away from the dressing. Keep your footwear stable and non-slip, especially in the rainy periods when surfaces become slick, because a fall in the early weeks can undo careful preparation. These are general suggestions; follow the individual instructions you receive.

How the remote consultation works from Kira

You do not need to leave town to start. Contact the coordinators on WhatsApp or Telegram, at any hour, 24/7. They will ask which joint is affected, for how long, what treatment you have already tried and which reports you hold. You then have a free online consultation with a specialist who reviews your information and explains whether SVF therapy could be considered at your stage or whether another route is more suitable.

Prepare in advance: a list of your medicines, known allergies, earlier operations, and a note of other illnesses such as diabetes, gout or psoriasis. Photographs of X-ray or MRI reports are helpful. Say clearly what matters to you: walking to the market, climbing stairs, kneeling for prayer or work, playing with children, or returning to sport.

Take someone you trust into the call if you wish, a spouse or an adult child, so that two people hear the answers. Write down the questions beforehand. A good consultation ends with a clear next step, whether that is further tests, a trial of other measures, or a plan for the procedure.

Questions to ask the specialist

Good questions save time and avoid disappointment. Ask: what stage is my joint, and what is the evidence for it? Is SVF therapy reasonable at this stage, or is surgery more likely? What outcome is realistic, and over what period? How will we know it is working? What happens if I notice little change?

Ask also about practicalities: how the adipose tissue is taken from the abdomen or inner thigh, what the local anaesthetic feels like, what care the puncture area needs, which activities to avoid, and when to restart walking, exercise and work. Ask which signs of infection or complication should make you call at once.

Finally, ask about the longer plan, since osteoarthritis is chronic. What exercise, weight advice and follow-up will support the result? When should the joint be reviewed? Because the result forms over about six months, a review schedule that matches this period is sensible. A candid specialist will answer these questions plainly and will not promise more than the evidence supports.

Is osteoarthritis the same as arthritis?

Not exactly. 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. Causes include rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Osteoarthritis is usually a wear-related condition with pain that grows with activity. A specialist should tell them apart.

Can I start the consultation from Kira without leaving town?

Yes. The consultation is online and free. Coordinators are available 24/7 on WhatsApp and Telegram. Send your questions and any existing reports, and a specialist will review your case with you.

How is the tissue for SVF therapy 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 a change?

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.

Is one procedure enough?

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. Exercise, weight management, suitable footwear and regular review are part of the plan.

Which stage of osteoarthritis is suitable?

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. Your stage is confirmed by examination and imaging.

I commute to Kampala every day. How should I plan?

Kira is a bedroom community for Kampala, so many residents spend long hours in transport. Plan a quiet period around the procedure, arrange help at home and agree with your doctor when you can return to commuting and work. Long sitting should be broken by short changes of position.

How should I care for the puncture area in hot, dusty weather?

Keep it clean and dry, wear loose breathable clothing, protect it from direct sun and dust, wash hands before touching the dressing and avoid pools or open water until your doctor allows. Follow your individual instructions.

Does body weight matter for my joints?

Yes. Excess weight increases the load on knees and hips, and the World Health Organization regards it as a significant health issue. Gradual weight control is a useful part of any osteoarthritis plan.

What should I send before the consultation?

Send a list of medicines and allergies, earlier operations, other illnesses, and photographs of X-ray or MRI reports if you have them. Add a short note about which joint hurts, since when, and what you want to be able to do again.