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Osteoarthritis Treatment for Patients from Makurdi

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)?

Osteoarthritis, which doctors also call arthrosis, is a chronic process of cartilage thinning and wearing away inside a joint. The cartilage is there to absorb shock, and as it deteriorates the bones rub together, producing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. It is degenerative rather than inflammatory, although flares with swelling occur.

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

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 checks the joint, studies your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if this procedure fits your case. If scans are already done, send them before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A small amount of venous blood is drawn, to be processed later into platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

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.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended 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, 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

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

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

Your adipose tissue, in a small sample, is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF): a combination of cells that take part in tissue repair. With your own plasma added, it is injected into the joint in question.

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

At early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis it is used mainly to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow 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

The joint receives an injection of plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, prepared from a small amount of your blood. It helps reduce inflammation and creates a better setting for tissue repair.

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

Used often in mild osteoarthritis, it is added to SVF when a more pronounced effect is required.

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 joints and small joints — having reviewed your scans, the doctor chooses which joint, which method and how many injections

  • KneeKneeCartilage wear with meniscus trouble and pain on stairs or after walking
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain on raising the arm; wear of the joint and the tendons around it
  • ElbowElbowWear of the joint surfaces and pain after overuse or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsSmall joints of the fingers and wrist: pain and stiffness
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Instead of replacing your joint, we work to keep 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

Instead of incisions we use punctures, under local anaesthetic, with no long 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

After the procedure, we keep in touch and watch the result — our work does not end on the injection day

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 doctor names the cost after the consultation — it depends on the joint, the method and how advanced the osteoarthritis is

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis treatment in Makurdi: what you should know

For patients from Makurdi, the aim is to keep your own joint as long as possible. The milder the stage, the faster and longer-lasting the effect usually is, and it may reduce the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections.

Osteoarthritis treatment in Makurdi is not done with cancer, acute infections, blood clotting disorders, during pregnancy or during a flare-up of a serious chronic illness. The doctor checks this at the consultation.

The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Makurdi, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation before any procedure.

Osteoarthritis treatment for residents of Makurdi: what this guide covers

Makurdi is the capital of Benue State, in the Middle Belt of central Nigeria, and it sits on the Benue River. In 2017, Makurdi's urban population was 517,342. A city of that size has many people who spend their working lives on their feet, carrying loads, farming, trading in markets, teaching, driving or sitting in offices. Sooner or later a good share of them notice the same thing: knees that ache on stairs, hips that stiffen after a long sitting, hands that become sore and slow. This guide is written for those residents and for their families, and it explains how osteoarthritis treatment is planned when the first conversation takes place online, from home in Makurdi.

The consultation with City Medical Centre is free and remote. Coordinators answer around the clock, 24/7, on Telegram and Telegram, so a market trader can write late in the evening after closing the stall, and a lecturer or civil servant can write between meetings. You send a short history of the joint, photographs of any scans or reports you already hold, and a list of the medicines you take. The coordinator then arranges an online discussion with a specialist who reviews the material and explains which options may be reasonable in your situation.

It helps to be clear about the goal from the start. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. A sensible plan combines an accurate diagnosis, a realistic view of the joint stage, daily habits that protect the joint, and, where appropriate, a procedure that supports the tissues. The sections below tie each of these steps to everyday life in Makurdi.

Makurdi's climate and what it means for painful joints

Because Makurdi lies in the valley of the Benue River, it experiences warm temperatures most of the year. The period from November to January, when the harmattan weather arrives, is relatively cool. Many people with joint problems notice that their symptoms change with the weather, and this is a useful thing to record. A simple notebook in which you write the date, the joint, the pain level from low to high and the weather can show a surgeon or rheumatologist a pattern that a single appointment cannot.

The cooler harmattan months are often the most comfortable time for movement and gentle exercise outdoors, and they can also be a convenient period to begin a rehabilitation routine. At the same time, cooler dry air can make some people feel stiffer in the morning. Morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes is one of the typical signs that doctors want to hear about, because it may point to an inflammatory cause and not only to wear of the joint. If you notice it, mention it clearly during the online consultation.

In the warm months the main concerns are heat, sweating and swelling. Hot weather can make a swollen knee feel heavier, and tight clothing or supports become uncomfortable. After any procedure the centre's team will tell you which compression or support garments to use. In a warm city the practical advice is general: choose breathable fabrics, keep the skin clean and dry, rest the leg raised when swelling appears, and avoid sitting in the midday heat on a hard surface with a bent knee for hours.

Daily life on both banks of the Benue and its effect on the joints

The town is divided by the River Benue into a north and a south bank, linked by two bridges: the railway bridge built in 1932 and the dual carriage bridge commissioned in 1978. For a person with a sore knee or hip this geography matters. Someone who lives on the north bank and works in the southern wards, among the government offices, banks and the market, may cross the river every day, then stand, queue and climb steps. When you describe your daily load to the specialist, mention how many hours you stand, how you commute and whether you carry bags or goods.

The southern part of the city contains many wards, including Wadata, High Level, Wurukum and the GRA areas, and a large concentration of offices and commercial activity. Office workers there often sit for long periods, and sitting itself can aggravate stiffness in the hips and knees. People who work on the north bank around the university and polytechnic campuses may walk long distances between buildings. Neither pattern is wrong, but each calls for different advice: regular breaks to stand and stretch for the desk worker, and well-cushioned footwear and pacing for the person who walks a lot.

Body weight is another practical factor. Excess weight places additional load on the knees and hips, and the World Health Organization treats overweight and obesity as a major health concern in its public guidance. This is not a reason for blame. It is a reason to talk openly with the doctor about food, activity and realistic steps, because even modest changes in weight and daily movement can support whatever treatment is chosen.

Work, trade and agriculture: planning around a livelihood

Makurdi serves as a commercial hub for the Middle Belt region, and its economy is largely driven by trade and agriculture. The Makurdi Modern Market is a key distribution point for regional produce such as yams and cassava. Benue State is predominantly agricultural, with both cash crops and subsistence crops. That means many patients have physical jobs: lifting sacks, bending in the field, stacking produce, standing at a stall from early morning. Osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, spine or hand directly affects income for these families, so the treatment plan has to be built around work.

When you speak to the specialist, describe your job in detail. A farmer who bends and squats needs a different rehabilitation plan from a trader who stands, or a driver who sits. Ask how long you should avoid heavy lifting after any procedure, when it is reasonable to return to light duties, and how to arrange help at the stall or on the farm during the early recovery period. Many people find it practical to plan the procedure for a quieter stretch of the trading or farming calendar, and to agree in advance who will cover the physical tasks.

Office and campus workers have their own questions. Teachers, administrators, students and staff in the city's universities and schools often ask whether they can sit through lectures or meetings soon afterwards and how to manage stairs. The honest answer depends on the individual joint and the specific procedure, which is why the doctor needs your real routine and not a general description.

Understanding your diagnosis: osteoarthritis, arthritis and the stage of the joint

Patients in Makurdi often use the word arthritis for any joint pain, but the doctor makes a distinction. 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 is a different, degenerative pattern, and it is the subject of the national-level clinical guidance from NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), which our specialists use as a reference point for assessment and management.

Why does this matter at home? Because the treatment of an inflammatory or infectious joint is not the same as the treatment of a worn joint. A hot, red, swollen joint with night pain needs prompt medical assessment and appropriate tests, not simply a procedure. If you have these signs, tell the coordinator at the very start so that the specialist can guide you on the next step in your own city, including the local tests and imaging that are usually requested.

Staging is the second key idea. At early stages, 1 and 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 the kind of frank information a patient should expect: the earlier the joint is assessed, the wider the range of options. Waiting for years with a painful hip or knee, hoping it will pass, can close some of those options.

How the SVF approach works and what to expect after it

SVF therapy uses 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. For a person living in Makurdi, the absence of stitches and the use of local anaesthetic are practical points, because they influence how soon ordinary life can resume and what wound care is needed in a warm climate.

On timing, 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. This is a gradual process and it varies from person to person, so it is wise not to judge the outcome in the first days. Keep your pain and movement diary during these months, because it lets the doctor see the real trend, and it helps you decide with the specialist whether supportive steps, such as physiotherapy or a repeat plan, are appropriate.

Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the procedure is one part of a longer plan. The plan includes strengthening exercises, sensible weight management, footwear, pacing of work and, when needed, medicines prescribed by your own doctor. Do not expect a procedure to replace these habits. The people who do best are usually those who treat the procedure as the start of a better routine rather than the end of the problem.

Choosing the season and planning recovery in Makurdi

The cooler harmattan period from November to January is, for many people, the most comfortable time to plan a procedure and the first weeks of recovery, because heat and sweating are less of a burden. That said, there is no single correct month. The decisive factors are your work calendar, family events, and how much help you will have at home. Discuss the timing openly with the specialist and choose a period in which you can genuinely rest.

In warmer months, plan for shade, ventilation and fluids, keep the puncture area clean and dry, and wear loose breathable clothing over any garment the team recommends. If you spend time near the river or use a swimming pool, ask the doctor specifically when water exposure is acceptable; do not decide this by yourself. If you work outdoors, ask about a hat or a covered work area, since sun and heat can tire you more than you expect during recovery.

Family events and food culture also deserve a place in the plan. Weddings, funerals, church and community gatherings are central to life in a city with many ethnic groups, among them the Tiv, Idoma, Hausa, Igede, Jukun, Agatu, Etulo, Alago and Igbo. Such events involve long sitting, standing, dancing and carrying. If one is close, say so. Ask whether you should attend, how long to stay, and how to protect the joint. Regarding food, meals built on yam and cassava are filling and energy-dense, so portion size and balance with vegetables, beans, fish and fruit can support weight control; the doctor or a dietitian can give personal advice.

Candidates, contraindications and the questions to ask

In general terms, a good candidate is a person with a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis at an early or moderate stage, who has realistic expectations and is ready to follow a rehabilitation plan. People with an active infection, a hot swollen joint of unclear cause, uncontrolled chronic illness, bleeding problems, pregnancy or certain cancers usually need further assessment before any procedure is considered. The specialist will decide, and your honest description of your health, medicines and previous operations is essential.

Prepare your questions before the online call. Useful ones include: What stage is my joint, and what imaging do I need to bring? Is my pain more likely to come from wear, inflammation or another cause? What exactly will be done, and how will local anaesthetic be used? How long until I can return to desk work, market work, farm work or sport? What exercises should I do in the first weeks and which movements should I avoid? What signs mean I must contact the team immediately? What happens if I do not improve?

Also ask what the plan is if the answer is no. An honest specialist may tell you that your joint is too advanced and that surgery is the right route, or that you first need blood tests or a rheumatology review. That answer is useful. It saves time, and it lets you plan the next steps with local doctors in Makurdi without false hope.

How the remote consultation works from Makurdi

The process is simple. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they are available around the clock. You describe the problem: which joint, how long, what makes it worse, whether there is night pain, swelling or morning stiffness, and what treatment you have already tried. You attach reports, scans or clear photographs of them if you have any. The coordinator organises the online appointment, and the consultation itself is free.

During the call the specialist asks about your work, daily activity, weight, other illnesses and medicines. The discussion then moves to the possible options for your stage, what the SVF approach can and cannot do, and how rehabilitation would be arranged. You may involve a family member in the call, which is often helpful when decisions affect the household income or when someone will help during recovery.

After the call you receive a summary in writing, and you can continue to ask questions through the same messaging channels. Network quality is a practical point in any city, so it is sensible to choose a quiet place with a stable connection, to keep your phone charged and to have your documents ready beforehand. If the connection fails, the coordinator will simply reschedule.

Is the first consultation really free for people in Makurdi?

Yes. The online consultation is free. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram from Makurdi, and they are available around the clock, 24/7. You are not asked to commit to any procedure during that first discussion.

Which documents should I prepare before writing?

Gather any X-ray, MRI or ultrasound reports and images, blood test results, a list of your medicines and a short history of the pain: when it started, which joint is affected, what makes it worse and whether you have night pain or morning stiffness. Clear phone photographs of the documents are enough to start.

How do I know if my problem is osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis?

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. Only a doctor can tell the difference after examination and tests, so describe these signs carefully.

What does the SVF procedure involve?

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 specialist explains the exact steps and the aftercare during the online consultation.

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. Keeping a pain and movement diary helps you and the doctor see the trend.

Is one treatment enough?

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. The plan includes exercise, weight management, sensible work habits and follow-up with your doctor, with a procedure as one part of it.

Can SVF therapy help if my hip or knee is badly damaged?

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. The specialist will review your imaging and tell you honestly which group you belong to.

What is the best time of year in Makurdi to plan treatment?

The period from November to January, when the harmattan weather is relatively cool, suits many people because heat and sweating are less of a problem during recovery. Still, the best time is the one when you can rest, have help at home and avoid heavy work, so also consider your trading, farming or academic calendar.

How should I manage work and daily life during recovery?

Tell the specialist exactly what your job involves: standing at a market stall, farm work, driving, desk work or teaching. Ask when light duties are acceptable, when to avoid lifting and long walks, and how to handle stairs and crossing between the two banks of the city. Plan help in advance.

Who should not have the procedure without further checks?

People with an active infection, a hot swollen joint of unclear cause, bleeding problems, pregnancy or uncontrolled chronic illness generally need further assessment first. Tell the coordinator and the specialist about all your conditions and medicines so that the decision is safe.