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Osteoarthritis Treatment for Patients from Palma

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

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 (arthrosis) is a long-term condition where the cartilage covering a joint slowly thins and wears down. Because cartilage cushions the joint, its loss lets the bones grind against one another, bringing pain, stiffness and reduced movement. The disease is degenerative, not inflammatory, though swollen flare-ups can 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

Only a doctor, after an examination and a review of scans, decides whether this treatment suits you

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 examines the joint, reviews your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure suits you. If you already have scans, you can send them before 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

The sample goes into a centrifuge and divides into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is taken out and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The doctor injects the prepared material directly into the affected joint, with ultrasound guidance helping place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No hospital stay and no crutches are needed. After the procedure, the doctor remains in touch and tracks 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 material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

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

A small amount of your blood is used to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which is then injected into the joint. It helps settle inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.

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

We treat large and small joints; the doctor picks the joint, method and injection count once your scans are reviewed

  • KneeKneeMeniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain on raising the arm; wear of the joint and the tendons around it
  • ElbowElbowJoint surface wear and pain after overloading or sports strain
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and aching in the fingers' and wrist's small joints
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Treatment without surgery that works to keep your own joint rather than swap it for an implant

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Only material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

No crutches

No crutches

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

Second opinion

Second opinion

Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

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

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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 treatment in Palma: a short guide

Without treatment, osteoarthritis usually progresses: pain becomes constant, movement becomes limited and the joint may deform. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor make a real difference for every patient in Palma.

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. In Palma, the doctor combines SVF or PRP with advice on weight, exercise and load for the joint.

Patients from Palma can start with a free review of their scans: the doctor assesses the stage of osteoarthritis and tells you whether non-surgical treatment makes sense. The price is named at the consultation.

What the Spanish health survey says about joint wear

Osteoarthritis is common in Spain. In the 2020 European Health Survey run by the national statistics institute, it was the third most frequently diagnosed chronic problem among people aged 15 and over, reported by 14.4 %. Only high blood pressure (19.0 %) and high cholesterol (15.3 %) ranked higher. Low back pain came in at 13.7 %. For a resident of Palma with a stiff knee, this means the complaint is widespread and well recognised.

The condition is 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. It is a degenerative disease rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling do happen. Knees (gonarthrosis) and hips (coxarthrosis) are affected most because they carry the greatest load. The ankle and the small joints of the hand follow.

Palma is the capital of the Balearic Islands, with 438,234 inhabitants in the municipality according to the 2024 figure. It is the eighth largest in Spain, and the urban area is larger still. A population of this size includes people of every age and working pattern, from office staff to those whose jobs keep them on their feet. Joint wear depends on load over many years, so the same city can have a retired person with a worn hip and a younger person with an old sports injury now showing early signs.

The treatment we describe works best at an early or moderate stage, before the joint surfaces are badly worn. Doctors usually describe four stages, from early thinning of the cartilage to severe wear. Stage is judged from an X-ray or MRI. If you already have such images, you can send them to the coordinator on WhatsApp or Telegram. A doctor will review them free of charge and say honestly whether injections are realistic or whether a joint replacement is the more sensible route.

Body weight, load and the joints you use every day

The same national survey gives a picture of body weight. Obesity was recorded in 16.0 % of adults aged 18 and over (16.5 % of men and 15.5 % of women). Overweight affected 37.6 %. In total, 53.6 % of adults were above the weight considered normal. Weight matters for joints because the knees and hips carry the body's load with every step.

The treatment plan names body weight, activity and the stage of the condition as the factors that decide how long the effect of treatment lasts. The doctor therefore asks about weight, daily movement and sport during the consultation. This is not a judgement. It is part of building a plan that can work over the long term. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan, not a one-off injection. Controlling weight, exercise and cooperation with a doctor make a real difference.

The survey also shows that Illes Balears had the highest share in Spain of people aged 15 and over who rated their health positively in 2020, at 82.9 %. A good general sense of health does not exclude a sore joint. Many people with early wear carry on with work and walks and put off asking about it. Pain, crunching or stiffness in a joint, or painkillers that help only briefly, are reasons to get the scans looked at before the cartilage thins further.

If you work physically or play sport, load on the joints is high, and the treatment may be worth discussing early. The same applies if you are recovering after an injury or an operation, or if you want to avoid or postpone a joint replacement. The doctor looks at your scans and your history, then decides whether the method suits you.

Cooler months, damp air and getting moving again

Palma has a warm semi-arid climate. The 1991-2020 normals for the port show January and February as the coldest months, with highs of 15.7 °C and lows of 8.5 and 8.4 °C. July and August are the warmest, with highs of 29.7 and 30.2 °C. The annual mean is 18.5 °C. Average relative humidity is 72 %, and the year brings 2,858 hours of sun, from 353 hours in July down to 152 in December.

We make no claim that weather causes osteoarthritis. The disease develops from long-term cartilage wear. Still, stiffness after rest is a typical feature, and in the shorter, darker days of winter people tend to move less. A joint that is used less becomes stiffer, and the supporting muscles weaken. If you notice that your knee or hip is harder to start in the morning, that is useful information for the doctor.

One distinction matters. In osteoarthritis the pain is aching on movement, with crunching and stiffness after rest. In arthritis the joint is inflamed, with pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth, and morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes. The treatment approach differs, so diagnosis comes first. Blood tests help rule out inflammatory disease, and ultrasound shows fluid and inflammation in the joint.

Rainfall in Palma totals 470.1 mm a year over 53.6 days. October is the wettest month at 72.6 mm, followed by November at 67.8 mm, while July is the driest at 5.1 mm. On wet autumn days some people walk less, and the doctor can suggest indoor activity instead. The service text recommends swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga. It advises avoiding running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements.

Moving in a city between mountains and sea

Palma lies at an altitude of 13 m in the centre of the Bay of Palma, on the south coast of Mallorca. To the east is the fertile plain of Es Pla, and to the north and west the city borders the Serra de Tramuntana, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The terrain in town is mostly flat, which suits the gentle, regular activity that helps a worn joint. The mountains are a different matter. Steep descents put heavy load on the knees, and the doctor may suggest a gentler route while the joint is being treated.

The sea offers a very suitable option. The bathing season lasts about six to seven months, from late April to early November. The sea temperature averages 19.5 °C over the year. It drops to 13.9 °C in February and rises to 26.0 °C in August, with June at 22.5 °C and September at 25.0 °C. Swimming and water aerobics take weight off the knees and hips while the muscles work, which matches the advice in the service text. Colder water in the winter months can be less comfortable, so many people prefer to move to a covered pool then.

The urban beach Platja de Palma (El Arenal) is one of the places where people walk along the water, which is a low-impact activity for arthritic joints. Whatever you choose, your reaction in the first week matters. The joint may ache a little more after the procedure, and this is an expected reaction.

If you have a physically demanding job or do sport, tell the doctor which movements you repeat most. The joint, method and number of injections are decided after looking at your scans. Knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, hand and wrist, and ankle can all be treated, and the plan is individual.

What the procedure involves, and what the timeline looks like

The method uses your own tissue only: blood and adipose tissue, with nothing donor or synthetic. A small blood sample is taken from a vein, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) with growth factors is prepared from it. Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue, roughly 30 ml, through a puncture on the abdomen or the inner thigh. No stitches are needed. The sample is spun in a centrifuge, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is isolated and blended with the PRP, and the material is injected into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance. The whole procedure is done in one day.

After that, the service text describes a typical course, with the reminder that it is averaged and given for guidance:

- 1 week: the joint may ache a little more.

- 1 month: the pain usually eases.

- About 3 months: mobility and activity improve.

- About 6 months: the full effect develops.

Many patients notice early changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. The result can last several months to several years, depending on the individual. No one can promise a fixed result. There are no crutches and no hospital stay, and the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows how the joint responds.

The treatment is not suitable in every case. Cancer, pregnancy, blood clotting disorders, acute infections (including infection in or near the joint) and a flare-up of a serious chronic illness are reasons it cannot be done. Temporary contraindications include a raised temperature, a cold or flu, and inflamed skin above the target joint. For avascular necrosis, SVF therapy may be considered only at early stages (1–2), and later stages usually need surgery.

Waiting times in public care and the value of a second opinion

Spain's national health system publishes waiting figures. At the end of 2025, traumatology had the longest average wait for a first specialist consultation, 132 days, against 102 days across all specialities. For operations, the average wait for a hip replacement was 98 days, and 13.7 % of patients waited beyond the 180-day maximum. For a knee replacement it was 105 days, with 15.9 % beyond that limit.

In Illes Balears, 3,874 patients were waiting for traumatology surgery at the same date, with an average wait of 138 days. The overall average for the islands was 105 days, with 17,075 patients on the structural surgical waiting list.

We do not suggest that online advice replaces public care or a replacement operation when one is truly needed. It can still serve as an independent second look while you wait. You send the X-ray, MRI or ultrasound report, and a doctor assesses the stage free of charge. If the joint is already badly destroyed, the doctor will tell you so, and replacement is then the realistic option. If the stage is early or moderate, a non-surgical plan may be proposed, which can cut the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections.

The coordinators answer round the clock on WhatsApp and Telegram. The first reply usually comes within 15 minutes. Sending your scans first lets the doctor prepare, so the online consultation can focus on your joint rather than on collecting information.

Does the cooler weather in Palma make osteoarthritis worse?

Weather does not cause the disease, which is a slow wearing of cartilage. Stiffness after rest is a typical sign, though, and in January and February, when highs are around 15.7 °C and lows around 8.5 °C, people often move less. Staying active, for example by swimming in a covered pool or cycling, helps keep the muscles that unload the joint. Mention in the consultation when the joint feels worst, so the doctor can fit the plan to your routine.

I live in Palma and am waiting for a knee or hip operation. Can I still get an opinion on my scans?

Yes. Send your X-ray, MRI or ultrasound report to the coordinator, and a doctor will review it free of charge. The doctor will assess the stage and say whether SVF and PRP injections could be considered. If the joint is already badly worn, the doctor will say frankly that a replacement is the more realistic option. The opinion is independent and does not oblige you to book anything.

How does body weight affect the treatment plan?

Body weight is one of the factors that decide how long the effect lasts, along with the stage of the condition and your activity. In the Spanish health survey of 2020, 53.6 % of adults were above normal weight, so the doctor raises the subject routinely and without judgement. Reducing the load on the knees and hips supports any treatment, and the doctor will build it into the plan alongside exercise.

What kind of exercise can I do around Palma while my joint is being treated?

The service text recommends swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga. It advises avoiding running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements. The sea is warm enough for swimming from roughly late April to early November, and flat streets suit walking. Steep mountain descents put load on the knees, so ask the doctor how much is sensible for your joint.

Which scans should I prepare before the online consultation?

An X-ray is the main method and shows the stage. An MRI gives a detailed picture of the cartilage and soft tissues, and ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid. Blood tests help rule out inflammatory disease. Send whatever you already have, because existing results can be reviewed free of charge. If you have none yet, the coordinator will tell you which are needed first.

Can the treatment be combined with the care I receive in the public system?

Many people keep following the plan from their regular doctor while getting a second opinion. In 2025, the average wait for a first traumatology consultation in the national system was 132 days, so an extra assessment of your scans can help you decide your next step. Tell the doctor which medicines and therapies you already use, so the plan fits around them.

When in the year is a good time to start treatment?

There is no season in which the treatment works better. The effect develops over about six months, and the pain usually eases after about a month. Some people prefer to start when their daily activity is easier to keep up, since movement and muscle strength support the joint. The doctor will help you choose after seeing your scans and hearing about your work and sport.

Does the national health system cover cell therapy for osteoarthritis?

The sources we use cover only the general rules of the national portfolio, such as the exclusion of procedures with a purely aesthetic aim, and they say nothing specific about this treatment. We therefore cannot tell you whether it is funded. Ask your own insurer or health provider, and the coordinator can tell you what the doctor will confirm at the consultation.