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Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment in Munster

SVF cell therapy and PRP for knee, hip and other joints affected by arthrosis. A free review of your X-rays or MRI to check the stage

Consultation and review of your scansFree

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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

Suitability for treatment is decided by a doctor, following an examination and a look at 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: fever, flu or a cold, inflamed skin over the joint that is 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

After examining the joint and reviewing your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound, the doctor decides whether the procedure suits you. Scans you already have can be sent before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

Blood is taken from a vein in a small amount. Later, platelet-rich plasma containing growth factors is prepared from it.

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

Spinning in a centrifuge splits the sample into layers, after which the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and mixed 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

No donor or synthetic material: we use only your own blood and adipose tissue

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

Doctors use it chiefly in early and moderate osteoarthritis, aiming to slow cartilage wear and cut 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

Your own blood, in a small amount, is processed to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which goes into the joint to calm inflammation and improve conditions 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 or small joints: your scans come first, then the doctor decides on the joint, the method and the number of injections

  • KneeKneeMeniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiff and sore small joints in the wrist and the fingers
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Rather than replacing the joint, we work to preserve it — the treatment involves no surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

No donor or synthetic material: we use only your own blood and adipose tissue

No crutches

No crutches

Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation

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

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

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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

Other services of our clinic

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

Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of a joint gradually thins and wears away. For patients from Munster, it usually shows as aching pain on movement, stiffness after rest and crunching in the joint.

Osteoarthritis treatment in Munster 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.

Leave a request, and a coordinator will contact you to arrange a free scan review. The price of osteoarthritis treatment in Munster is explained before treatment begins.

Flat ground, a cycling ring and the load on knees and hips

Münster has 306,368 inhabitants on 303.28 km², about 1,010 people per km². The terrain is gentle. The city centre lies at 60 m, the highest point (the Vorbergshügel) reaches 99.8 m, and the lowest point, on the Ems, is 38.6 m. A joint-loading picture follows from this: there are few steep gradients, but plenty of repetitive daily movement. The city describes itself as the bicycle capital of Germany. In 2007, bicycle traffic made up 37.6% of journeys, slightly more than the 36.4% by vehicle. The Promenade, a cycle-friendly ring around the centre, invites regular, even riding.

That matters for cartilage. Osteoarthritis (arthrosis) is slow, chronic wear of the cartilage lining the joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact, and when it thins the bones rub, so the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. Knees and hips carry the greatest load and are affected most, followed by the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Cycling is gentle on a painful joint compared with running on hard surfaces, which is one of the things the doctor advises against. Cycling and swimming are both on the list of suitable activities. Münster's flat routes and the water of the Aasee area make it easy to keep moving without pounding the joints. The Aasee itself is a reservoir created by damming the Münstersche Aa in the 1930s.

If you already cycle every day and notice that the knee aches after a ride, or the groin hurts when you rotate the hip, the first step is not to give up movement. Send your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound to the coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram. A doctor reviews the scans free of charge, establishes the stage and says honestly whether injection treatment or a different route is more realistic.

A young city, an older problem: who gets cartilage wear

Münster is known as a university city. The university alone had 41,217 students in the winter semester 2025/26, and the city as a whole has around 65,000. Such numbers suggest a young population, but osteoarthritis does not wait for retirement. The service text lists "recovery after injuries and surgery" and "high load on the joints — sport or physical work" among the situations where treatment is considered. A torn meniscus, an old ankle sprain or years of sport can bring the first signs of arthrosis earlier than expected. Meniscus pathology and post-injury rehabilitation are on the list of conditions treated.

Nationally, about five million people in Germany have osteoarthritis. The figure is a reminder that wear of the joint is common and that you are not unusual if the diagnosis comes at an age when you still work and train.

Body weight is the other factor the doctor takes into account. The length and strength of any effect depend on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors. For Germany, measured data (DEGS 2008/11) found obesity (BMI 30+) in 23.3% of men and 23.9% of women. Surveys based on self-reporting gave lower values, 15.7% of men and 13.8% of women in the 2009 Mikrozensus. The gap shows that measured numbers are usually higher than what people say about themselves. Bodyweight discussions at the consultation are not about blame. A heavier body loads knees and hips more, and the doctor weighs this in the plan. Controlling weight, exercise and working with a doctor make a real difference at any age.

The treatment itself is aimed at early and moderate osteoarthritis, before the joint surfaces are badly worn. When the joint space has almost disappeared at the most advanced stage, a lasting effect cannot be expected, and in such cases the doctor will say frankly if a joint replacement is more realistic.

January at 0.4 °C and 85–86% humidity: stiffness, and what it can mean

The Münster winter is mild but damp. In January the mean daily maximum is 5.7 °C and the minimum 0.4 °C, and February is similar at a minimum of 0.7 °C. Relative humidity averages 78.6% over the year and reaches 85–86% from November to January. Sunshine falls to 1.3 hours a day in December, against 6.3 hours in June to August and 6.6 hours in May.

Patients often notice their joints more in such months. It would be wrong to say that weather causes cartilage wear, because it does not. Wear develops slowly over years. What the cold season can do is reveal a joint that was already worn: fewer outdoor hours, less movement, and a body that stays still for longer periods. Stiffness after rest is typical of osteoarthritis, and aching pain on movement and crunching are its other signs.

A second pattern needs to be separated out. In arthritis, the joint is inflamed, with pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth. That is a different disease with a different approach, so diagnosis comes first. If the knee is hot, red and swollen, or there is any infection in or near the joint, injection treatment is not suitable. The same applies to a raised temperature, a cold or flu, or inflamed skin above the target joint. These are temporary contraindications, so winter colds may simply move the date.

In the dry, brighter part of the year, April and May are the driest months (34 mm and 33 mm), while June and August are the wettest (77 mm and 79 mm). Annual precipitation was 672 mm over 2015–2020, with 183 rainy days. These details are useful only for planning. If you want the first weeks after the procedure to fall in a calmer period, you can discuss timing with the coordinator.

What the procedure involves, and how the weeks afterwards unfold

The treatment uses your own blood and adipose tissue, and nothing donor or synthetic. After examining the joint and reviewing your scans, the doctor decides whether the procedure suits you. Scans you already have can be sent beforehand, which is convenient when the consultation is online.

Then the procedure goes step by step. A small amount of blood is taken from a vein for platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which carries growth factors. Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue, roughly 30 ml, through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and stitches are not needed. The sample is spun in a centrifuge, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is isolated and blended with the plasma, and the material is injected into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance. The whole procedure is done in one day. There are no crutches and no hospital stay, and afterwards the doctor stays in contact and follows how the joint responds.

The timeline given is an average, not a promise. In the first week the joint may ache a little more, which is an expected reaction. After about a month the pain usually eases, mobility and activity improve at around three months, and the full effect develops at about six months. The FAQ notes that early changes are noticed by many patients 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and that the effect can last from several months to several years depending on the individual. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, it requires an ongoing plan, not a one-off injection.

SVF is used chiefly in early and moderate osteoarthritis to slow cartilage wear and cut friction between the joint surfaces. PRP is often used for mild osteoarthritis, and together with SVF when a stronger effect is needed. For avascular necrosis at stages 1–2, SVF may be considered to support blood supply to the femoral head and delay the need for joint replacement, and at later stages surgery is usually required.

Joint replacement figures, insurance and the questions to settle before deciding

The scale of replacement surgery in Germany shows why many people ask about alternatives. About 400,000 hip and knee joint replacement operations were performed in 2016. After an uncomplicated hip replacement, the inpatient stay lasts about six to eight days in most clinics, and follow-up rehabilitation is arranged during the stay. That is a long chain of steps compared with an injection treatment that involves no hospital stay.

This does not make replacement a bad option. The service text is clear that for a badly damaged joint, replacement may be the more realistic route, and the doctor will say so honestly after seeing your scans. The aim of this treatment is to keep your own joint where that is still reasonable, or to postpone replacement.

On insurance, about 92% of the German population is covered by statutory health insurance, and about 11% of the working population has private cover. Whether a particular insurer reimburses a particular procedure depends on the policy and the case, and nothing here promises it. Ask your insurer directly, and ask the coordinator which documents the doctor can provide after the consultation, such as a description of the diagnosis, the stage and the proposed plan. The consultation and review of scans are free, and the cost of treatment is quoted by the doctor afterwards, because it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis.

A sensible order of steps for someone in Münster is simple. First collect your existing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound reports. Second, send them to the coordinator, who answers round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram. Third, hear the doctor's assessment of the stage and of whether treatment without surgery suits you. Only then decide on dates.

Does the flat terrain and the amount of cycling in Münster make cartilage wear better or worse?

Neither can be said in general, because wear depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors. What can be said is that cycling is among the suitable activities for osteoarthritis, together with swimming, water aerobics, Nordic walking and yoga, while running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements are best avoided. Regular, even movement builds the muscles that unload the joint and feeds the cartilage. The doctor can tell you at the consultation what level of activity suits your knee or hip.

Is it worth waiting for spring if my joints are stiffest in the damp winter months?

Stiffness in January or February, when the mean minimum is around 0.4 °C and humidity reaches 85–86%, is a reason to have the joint assessed rather than a reason to wait. Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative condition that usually gets worse if left untreated, and the treatment works best in the early and moderate stages. Send your scans to the coordinator and the doctor will advise on timing. A cold, flu or raised temperature would postpone the procedure for a short time.

I am a student or young adult after a sports injury. Can osteoarthritis really be the reason for my knee pain?

It can be. The service text names recovery after injuries and surgery, meniscus pathology and high load from sport as situations where treatment is considered. Pain, crunching or stiffness in a joint should be examined, and the doctor will use your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound to tell cartilage wear from an inflammatory joint condition. Sending existing results for a free second opinion costs nothing and does not commit you to anything.

How do I send my scans from Münster, and who answers?

Message the coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram, where replies come round the clock, and attach your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound reports. A doctor reviews them free of charge, assesses the stage of osteoarthritis and proposes a non-surgical plan where appropriate. The consultation is online, so you do not need to arrange anything locally for this first step.

Will statutory health insurance in Germany pay for SVF and PRP injections?

This cannot be answered in general. About 92% of people in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance, but reimbursement depends on the insurer, the policy and the individual case. The doctor quotes the cost of treatment after the consultation, and the coordinator can explain what documents you can ask for to discuss it with your insurer. Do not assume cover until your insurer confirms it in writing.

How is this different from the hip or knee replacement that many people in Germany have?

Joint replacement is an operation on a joint that is already badly destroyed. It involves a hospital stay, which after an uncomplicated hip replacement lasts about six to eight days in most clinics, followed by rehabilitation. SVF and PRP are injections of your own blood and adipose tissue given under ultrasound, with local anaesthetic, no incisions, no crutches and no hospital stay. They suit early and moderate stages. If your scans show an advanced stage, the doctor will tell you frankly that replacement may be more realistic.

How should I plan the weeks after the procedure around my work and study schedule?

Expect the joint to ache a little more in the first week, which is an expected reaction. The pain usually eases after about a month, mobility and activity improve around three months, and the full effect develops at about six months. These are averages for guidance, not promises, and the doctor confirms the plan and recovery at the consultation. Because the procedure is done in one day, many people choose a quieter period in their calendar, for example away from exam weeks or the busy Send fair weeks in spring, June and October. The coordinator can help fit the date around your own schedule.

Does body weight affect whether the treatment is suitable?

Body weight is one of the factors on which the length and strength of the effect depend, alongside the stage of the condition and your activity. It is not a reason to be refused a consultation. The doctor takes it into account when proposing the plan, and controlling weight, regular suitable exercise and following the doctor's advice make a real difference to how the joint behaves.