Osteoarthritis Treatment in Melbourne
Treatment of arthritic knees, hips and other joints using SVF and PRP. A doctor reviews your MRI or X-rays free to establish the stage
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)?
Arthrosis (osteoarthritis) means slow, chronic wear of the cartilage lining the joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact; when it thins, the bones rub on each other and the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. Although flare-ups with swelling happen, this is a degenerative disease rather than an inflammatory one.
Knees (gonarthrosis) and hips (coxarthrosis) are affected most, since they carry the greatest load, followed by the ankle and the small joints of the hand. The treatment works best early or at a moderate stage, before the joint surfaces are badly worn; in advanced cases the doctor will tell you frankly if a joint replacement is more realistic.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
We treat large and small joints; the doctor picks the joint, method and injection count once your scans are reviewed
Elbow
Worn joint surfaces and pain following overuse or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff, painful small joints in the fingers and the wrist
Knee
Meniscus problems, cartilage wear and pain when walking or on stairs
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
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.
Most often it is applied in early and moderate osteoarthritis, helping slow the wear of cartilage and reduce friction in the joint.
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.
Mild osteoarthritis is a common indication; when a stronger effect is needed, it is used together with SVF.
How the procedure goes: step by step
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 PRP
A small volume of venous blood is collected; from it, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later on.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. There is no need for stitches.
Processing in a centrifuge
After spinning in a centrifuge, the sample forms layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated from them and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.
Follow-up
Neither a hospital stay nor crutches — and after the procedure the doctor stays in contact and follows how the joint is responding.
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 PRP
A small volume of venous blood is collected; from it, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later on.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. There is no need for stitches.
Processing in a centrifuge
After spinning in a centrifuge, the sample forms layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated from them and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Ultrasound guidance allows the prepared material to be injected directly and precisely into the affected joint.
Follow-up
Neither a hospital stay nor crutches — and after the procedure the doctor stays in contact and follows how the joint is responding.
Follow-up visits
The doctor follows the joint's response at follow-up visits and adjusts the plan as needed — pain tends to ease during the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
Conditions we treat
Whether this treatment is right for you is a doctor's decision, made after an examination and a scan review
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: flu or a cold, fever, or skin inflammation over the joint being treated
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
Usually you leave the same day and return to everyday activity within a day or two; the puncture sites just need small dressings. The joint can ache a bit more in the first week — this reaction is expected. Pain typically eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long the result lasts is individual and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors; a fixed result cannot be promised by anyone. A healthy weight and regular joint-friendly exercise help it last.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
We work on keeping your own joint rather than replacing it — treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
We use your own adipose tissue and blood only, with no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your X-rays, MRI or reports and a doctor will give an independent assessment free of charge
Support after the procedure
We keep in contact after the procedure and monitor the result, rather than stopping on the day of the injection
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
Since the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis determine the cost, it is named by the doctor 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?
It is gradual wear of the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones in a joint. When the cartilage thins, the joint loses its cushioning, the bones rub against each other, and pain, stiffness and crunching appear. It is a degenerative condition, not an inflammatory one.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Yes, in many cases, provided treatment is not left too late. SVF and PRP injections aim to ease pain and support cartilage without an operation. Joint replacement is the last option, for a joint that has already been destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
The first changes are often felt 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and a stable result forms over about six months, lasting several months to several years depending on the person. Osteoarthritis is chronic, which is why it needs an ongoing plan instead of one injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
At the early and moderate stages. Usually the effect comes faster and lasts longer the milder the stage is, and it may reduce the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. A lasting effect cannot be expected at the most advanced stage, when the joint space has nearly disappeared.
Which joints are most often affected?
The joints with the highest load, namely knees, hips and ankles, as well as the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment covers all of these joints.
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 key test and shows the stage. A detailed view of the cartilage and soft tissues comes from MRI, ultrasound shows fluid and inflammation in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory diseases. Results you already have can be reviewed by the doctor free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
In osteoarthritis the cartilage wears, causing aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest; in arthritis the joint is inflamed, with pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth. The treatment approach differs, so diagnosis is the first step.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Send us your X-rays, MRI or test results and a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and propose a non-surgical plan where appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
Yes — and it is recommended. The right activity strengthens the muscles that take load off the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and keeps you mobile. Good choices are swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga; avoid jumping, running on hard surfaces, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
How osteoarthritis is treated without surgery for Melbourne residents
Osteoarthritis most often affects the joints that carry the most load: the knee (gonarthrosis) and the hip (coxarthrosis), as well as the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Patients from Melbourne with any of these joints can have their scans reviewed free of charge.
Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Melbourne, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.
The price depends on how many joints are treated and on the method. For patients from Melbourne, the doctor explains the plan and the cost at a free consultation before any procedure.
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