City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7

SVF and PRP for Osteoarthritis in Minna

Arthrosis of the knee, hip or another joint treated with SVF cells and PRP. Your X-rays or MRI are reviewed free of charge to confirm the stage

Knee joint: regenerative treatment without surgery
Joint treatment without surgery. Free consultation and review of your scans

Message our coordinator

Free online consultation · Reply within 15 minutes

Message us on Telegram

By messaging us, you agree to our Privacy Policy

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

Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of your scans

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

How it works

How the procedure goes: step by step

Consultation and scan review1

Consultation and scan review

The joint is examined, your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed, and the doctor decides if the procedure is right for you. Any scans you have can be sent prior to the 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

About 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture in the abdomen or inner thigh, with local anaesthetic. The puncture needs no stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

Centrifugation separates the sample into layers, and the stromal vascular fraction is isolated, then combined with platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Under ultrasound guidance the prepared material is injected straight into the affected joint, which helps to place it 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 blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

First a small sample of adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — cells involved in tissue repair. This fraction, combined with your plasma, is then injected into the affected joint.

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

Taken from a small amount of your blood, plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is injected into the joint. There it helps calm inflammation and sets up better conditions for tissue repair.

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

It is frequently used for mild osteoarthritis, and combined with SVF when a stronger 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

Both large and small joints — after reviewing your scans, the doctor selects the joint, the method and how many injections you need

  • KneeKneeCartilage wearing down, meniscus problems, pain on stairs and after a walk
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderJoint and tendon wear around it, pain on lifting the arm
  • ElbowElbowWear of joint surfaces, pain after heavy use or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiff, painful small joints in the fingers and the wrist
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Your own joint is kept, not replaced — we treat without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

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

No crutches

No crutches

Done through punctures under local anaesthetic, without incisions or long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

An independent assessment from a doctor, free of charge — send your X-rays, MRI or reports

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We stay in contact once the procedure is done and follow the result beyond 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

Since the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis determine the cost, it is named by the doctor after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Osteoarthritis in Minna: from X-ray to follow-up

The stage matters most. At early and moderate stages, SVF and PRP injections aim to ease pain, reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow cartilage wear. At the most advanced stage, the doctor will tell patients in Minna honestly if joint replacement is the more realistic option.

Treatment starts with a consultation and a review of your X-rays or MRI to assess the stage. Then blood and a small adipose tissue sample are taken, processed in a centrifuge and injected into the joint under ultrasound guidance. For patients from Minna, it is done in one day.

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

Minna and the question of joint pain

Minna is a city in the North Central region of Nigeria and the capital of Niger State, one of the country's 36 federal states. Its original major ethnic groups are the Gbagyi, Nupe and Hausa peoples. Residents of a city like this often have physically active routines, and when knee, hip or hand pain starts to limit them, the first question is usually how to keep working and caring for the family without constant discomfort.

The city has many primary health clinics, with the General Hospital, Minna serving as the general health care provider. A first examination, basic tests and routine follow-up are therefore usually possible locally. What many people in Minna look for in addition is a second opinion on regenerative options, and that is where a free online consultation with City Medical Centre fits: you stay at home, and the coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram.

This text is general information. It does not replace an examination, and the decision about treatment is always made individually after the specialist has reviewed your history, your imaging and your goals.

What osteoarthritis is and how it differs from arthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition of the joint, and that word matters for planning. It needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. Patients in Minna who expect one visit to close the subject are better served by hearing this at the very start.

Arthritis is a different thing. 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. If your symptoms look like this, tell the coordinator during the first conversation, because the cause has to be clarified before any procedure is discussed.

Joint pain that is worse after a day of activity and eases with rest points in a different direction from pain that wakes you at night. Writing down when the pain appears, how long the morning stiffness lasts and which joint is affected makes the online consultation much more useful.

The procedure in plain words

The approach discussed for suitable patients is SVF therapy based on your own fat 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 patient in Minna the practical meaning is simple: the intervention is small, it uses your own tissue, and it does not involve a large wound to protect in the hot, dusty environment of the city. Your specialist will explain how the material is then used and what is realistic for your particular joint.

Ask the specialist to describe each step, what you will feel, how the puncture area is looked after, and what follow-up is planned. A clear answer to these questions is a good sign of a careful team.

Stages of the disease and who may be a candidate

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 the disease, shown on imaging and examination, is the first thing the specialist will want to see.

In general terms, people with early changes who still move reasonably well and want to postpone surgery are the ones for whom the option is discussed. People with advanced damage, signs of active infection, or inflammatory joint disease that has not been clarified usually need a different route first.

Bring to the online consultation any X-ray or MRI reports you already have from a clinic in Minna, a list of medicines you take, and notes on previous injections or treatments. The more complete the picture, the more honest the answer about suitability will be.

Clinical guidance such as NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), is a useful reference for the general principles of diagnosis and management, and you can ask the specialist how the proposed plan relates to it.

Climate in Minna and recovery

Minna has a Middle Belt tropical savanna climate with two seasons: an arid, dusty, harmattan-dominated dry season from November to April and a humid wet season from May to October. Temperatures are hot to sweltering year round, except at the height of the wet season when the air is merely very warm, although the high humidity makes it equally or more uncomfortable than the hotter dry season.

In the dry season, dust is the main concern. Keep the puncture area clean and covered as advised, avoid dusty work in the first days, and wash your hands before touching the dressing. Drink enough water, since heat and dry air tire the body.

In the wet season, humidity and sweat can irritate the skin around the puncture area. Choose loose, breathable cotton clothing, change it when damp, and avoid standing water, ponds and swimming pools until the specialist confirms it is fine. Heat can also make joints feel more swollen at the end of the day, so plan rest periods and keep the leg raised when you sit.

When in the year to plan treatment

There is no perfect month in Minna, because both seasons have drawbacks. The dry months from November to April bring harmattan dust and very hot afternoons; the wet months from May to October bring humidity and heavy conditions for walking outside.

The more useful question is when your own calendar is quieter. Think about the farming and trading cycle in your family, school terms, religious and family events, and any period when you must be on your feet all day. Choose a time when you can reduce heavy tasks for the first weeks.

Remember also that many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure, while a stable result forms over about six months. Planning should therefore cover several months, not only the first days.

Work, daily life and sport in Minna

The economy around Minna includes cotton, guinea corn, maize, ginger and yam cultivation, cattle trading, shea nut processing, leather work and metalworking. Many of these activities involve bending, kneeling, lifting and long hours standing. If your work looks like this, discuss it openly with the specialist and ask which tasks to postpone and for how long.

Office workers, teachers and students have a different challenge: sitting for long periods stiffens the joints. Short walks and changes of position during the day are usually welcome, but ask for advice specific to your joint.

For sport and exercise, follow what your specialist tells you. Return gradually, begin with gentle walking, and increase only if the joint stays calm. Pain or swelling after activity is a signal to slow down and report to the coordinators.

Food, weight and family occasions

Food culture in Minna draws on yam, maize, sorghum and local produce, often shared at large family gatherings. There is no need to give up traditional meals, but body weight matters for the knees and hips. The World Health Organization treats overweight and obesity as a major health issue, and lower load on the joints is a sensible goal alongside any procedure.

Practical advice is to balance portions, add vegetables and protein, drink water instead of sugary drinks, and keep moving within comfortable limits. Ask the specialist whether a weight plan should be part of your joint programme.

Weddings, naming ceremonies and festivals often mean long standing and dancing. Check your dates against the recovery plan, and if an important event falls soon after the procedure, say so in advance so that the timing can be discussed.

How the online consultation works from Minna

You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour; they work 24/7 and the consultation is free. You describe the joint, the symptoms and how long they have lasted, and send your reports and images from a local clinic or the General Hospital, Minna.

A specialist reviews the material and tells you whether the procedure is worth discussing, what additional examinations may be needed, and what the realistic expectations are. You can ask follow-up questions afterwards in the same chat, without leaving home.

Network quality can vary, so send documents as clear photos or PDF files and keep messages short when the connection is weak. Voice notes are fine for describing your symptoms.

Questions to ask the surgeon

Prepare a short list before the conversation. Ask which stage of osteoarthritis you have and whether SVF therapy is appropriate at that stage. Ask what the realistic outcome is, given that a result can last from several months to several years depending on the individual.

Ask what ongoing plan is needed, since osteoarthritis is chronic: exercise, weight control, medicines, repeat assessment. Ask what could make you unsuitable, and what signs after the procedure should make you contact the team at once.

Ask also how local follow-up in Minna will work, who will check the puncture area, and what documents you should keep. A clear, calm answer to each point helps you decide without pressure.

Can I get a consultation without leaving Minna?

Yes. The online consultation is free, and coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You send your reports and describe your symptoms from home.

Is osteoarthritis the same as arthritis?

No. 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 chronic and needs an ongoing plan.

How much tissue is 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 result last?

It can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection.

Who is a candidate?

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 climate of Minna matter for recovery?

Yes. In the dusty dry season from November to April keep the puncture area clean and covered; in the humid wet season from May to October wear breathable clothing and avoid standing water and pools until cleared.

Can I keep working in farming or trade?

Heavy tasks such as lifting, kneeling and long standing usually need to be reduced for a while. Describe your work to the specialist and agree a gradual return.

What should I send for the first review?

Send imaging reports, a list of medicines, notes on earlier treatments and a short description of when the pain appears and how long morning stiffness lasts.

Does body weight affect my joints?

Yes, extra weight increases the load on knees and hips. The WHO treats overweight and obesity as a significant health issue, so a weight plan may be a useful part of your care.