City Medical Centre · multi-specialty surgery clinicOpen 24/7
EN
Message us on Telegram

SVF and PRP for Osteoarthritis in Richards Bay

We treat arthrosis in the knee, hip and other joints with SVF cell therapy and PRP, and review your X-rays or MRI for free to judge 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

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

An examination of the joint and a review of your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound let the doctor decide if the procedure is suitable. Existing scans can be sent in advance of the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A small amount of blood is taken from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later prepared from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and under local anaesthetic, about 30 ml of adipose tissue is collected. No stitches are required.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

A centrifuge separates the sample into layers. From them the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and added to 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

Neither a hospital stay nor crutches — and after the procedure the doctor stays in contact and follows how the joint is responding.

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

Nothing synthetic, nothing from donors — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used

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

Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down 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

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.

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

In mild osteoarthritis it is used often; to get a stronger effect it is combined with SVF.

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

Small and large joints are treated; the doctor determines the joint, method and number of injections after looking at your scans

  • KneeKneeMeniscus problems, cartilage wear and pain when walking or on stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWear of the joint and the tendons around it, painful arm raising
  • ElbowElbowPain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsFinger and wrist small joints affected by pain and stiffness
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We work to keep the joint you have instead of replacing it, using treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Nothing synthetic, nothing from donors — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used

No crutches

No crutches

No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions

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

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 Richards Bay: stages, methods and price

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 Richards Bay with any of these joints can have their scans reviewed free of charge.

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 Richards Bay, it is done in one day.

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

Osteoarthritis treatment for patients in Richards Bay: how the process works

Richards Bay is a city in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, built around a 30-square-kilometre lagoon of the Mhlatuze River. People here often have demanding physical routines, and joint pain tends to be noticed first when it starts to interfere with work, walking and sleep. City Medical Centre offers a free online consultation to patients in Richards Bay, with coordinators available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram.

The first step is a conversation, not a procedure. You describe where the joint hurts, how long the pain has lasted, what makes it worse and what you have already tried. You can send earlier X-ray or MRI reports and the notes from your local doctor. The coordinator then arranges a video consultation with a specialist who reviews the material and explains which options may suit your situation.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, so the aim of the consultation is an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. The specialist explains which stage of joint damage the images suggest, which measures support the joint over the long term, and when a different approach, including surgery, becomes the more realistic choice.

Joint pain in a port and industrial city

Richards Bay has one of the largest harbours in the country and the deepest natural harbour on the African continent. Its economy rests on the port, coal exports, aluminium smelters, a fertiliser plant, mineral mining from the dunes and the trade in granite, ferrochrome, paper pulp and wood chips. Many residents work in shifts, stand for long hours, lift loads or climb on industrial structures, and these demands put steady strain on knees, hips and the lower back.

A common question from patients is whether the work caused the problem and whether they must stop. The honest answer is individual. The specialist asks about your tasks, your posture at work and how long you stand or walk, and then suggests how to adapt your duties while the joint is being treated. Bring a short description of a typical working day to the consultation.

Because the city is a fast-growing industrial centre, many people postpone medical care until the pain is hard to ignore. Early assessment matters in osteoarthritis, because the options are wider at early stages than at later ones.

Is it osteoarthritis or arthritis? Signs to describe

Patients in Richards Bay often use the words arthritis and osteoarthritis interchangeably, but they are different. 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 chronic wear-related condition, and the first consultation helps separate it from inflammatory causes. If you notice a hot, red, swollen joint or pain that wakes you at night, say so clearly at the start. These signs may point to a cause that needs a different test and a different treatment.

Useful details to prepare: which joint is affected, whether both sides hurt, how the pain changes during the day, how far you can walk, whether stairs are difficult, and any history of gout, psoriasis or infection. Clear answers make the video consultation far more productive.

Climate, heat and humidity: what they mean for your joints

Richards Bay lies in a transition zone between a humid subtropical climate inland and a tropical savanna climate along the shore. Summers are warm and wet, winters are mild and frost-free, and annual rainfall is 1228 millimetres. The average annual temperature is 21.5 °C, with daytime maxima peaking from January to March at 29 °C and daytime highs from June to August of 23 °C.

Many people with joint pain say it changes with the weather. Without making medical claims, it is fair to say that damp, warm days can bring swelling and a feeling of heaviness, while cooler winter mornings may make stiffness more noticeable. Keeping a short diary of pain against weather and activity gives the specialist useful information.

The mild winter is convenient for gentle outdoor activity such as walking on flat ground. The area is generally very flat, on a coastal plain, which is easier on painful knees and hips than hilly terrain, though long walks on hot days still call for rest breaks and water.

Planning the procedure: the season and the first weeks

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 Richards Bay this means the procedure can be planned around a light recovery period rather than a long absence from daily life.

Because the climate is warm and humid for much of the year, think about the puncture area. Choose loose, breathable clothing, keep the wound clean and dry, and follow the surgeon's advice on sun, sweat and water. The summer months, with their warm peaks and long daylight, invite outdoor activity, so agree in advance what you should avoid early on.

There is no single best month. Winter is cooler and more comfortable for wearing close clothing, while summer holidays may give you more free time. Choose the period when you can rest without pressure from shifts, school runs or family events.

What results to expect and when

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. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection.

This timeline matters for people who work in physically demanding jobs in the port or industry. Do not judge the outcome in the first days. Plan check-ups during the six months, report your symptoms honestly through the coordinator, and discuss with the specialist when supportive measures might be considered.

The specialist can also explain how the result depends on the stage of the disease, your body weight, your activity and other conditions. Nobody can promise a particular outcome, and a good consultation will say so plainly.

Early stages, later stages and joint replacement

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 the central point to understand when you decide whether to act now or wait.

For a resident of Richards Bay, delay has a practical cost: pain limits work, sport and family life, and the window of early-stage options may close. If your imaging already shows advanced damage, the specialist will tell you directly that surgery is likely the appropriate route, and will help you prepare questions for a local orthopaedic team.

The treatment plan should follow recognised guidance. The NICE guideline Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) is a good reference for what a sound plan includes, and you can ask the specialist how the proposed approach fits with it.

Weight, activity and the wider plan

Body weight affects load on the knees and hips, and the WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight is a useful general reference. Discussing weight is not criticism; it is part of a realistic joint plan. The specialist may suggest gradual changes in diet and movement alongside any procedure.

Households in Richards Bay come from many backgrounds, with shared family meals and gatherings. A practical approach is to adjust portions and cooking methods rather than give up familiar food. Ask for advice that suits your household.

Sport is part of local life, and the city is known for kitesurfing thanks to consistent north-easterly winds. Whatever your sport, ask when you may return, which movements to avoid first, and how to build load back step by step. Low-impact activity is usually easier on painful joints than sudden heavy effort.

Who may be a candidate and who should wait

In general terms, candidates are adults with confirmed osteoarthritis who have not had enough relief from simpler measures and whose joint damage is not yet at the stage where surgery is the only option. A review of images and history decides this, not the pain level alone.

Reasons to wait or choose another path can include active infection, an inflammatory arthritis that needs separate treatment, certain blood or immune conditions, pregnancy or poorly controlled chronic illness. Tell the specialist about every medicine and diagnosis, including blood thinners.

Richards Bay has a young population, with most residents under the age of 34, so some patients are surprised to face joint problems at all. Injury, heavy work, sport and inflammatory disease can all affect younger people, so do not assume age excludes you.

Questions to ask during your online consultation

Prepare a short list before the video call. Ask what stage the imaging suggests, which approach is proposed and why, what the specialist expects over the first 2–3 weeks and over six months, and what signs mean you should contact the coordinator at once.

Also ask how the adipose tissue of about 30 ml is collected, what care the puncture area needs in a warm humid climate, when you can return to work and sport, and what follow-up the plan includes. Request that the answers be summarised in writing in your messenger chat.

The coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send images, ask follow-up questions and arrange the call at a time that suits your shifts.

Can I have the consultation from Richards Bay?

Yes. The consultation is free and online. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, send your reports and images, and arrange a video call with a specialist.

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 autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic wear-related condition.

How is the material collected?

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. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection.

Can this help if my joint damage is advanced?

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 warm, humid climate of Richards Bay matter?

It matters for comfort and wound care. Wear loose, breathable clothing, keep the puncture area clean and dry, limit strong sun and sweating early on, and follow the surgeon's instructions.

I work shifts in industry or at the port. Can I plan around that?

Yes. Tell the specialist about your duties and shift pattern. Together you can choose a quieter period and agree when and how to return to physical work.

Which guideline is the plan based on?

Ask the specialist how the plan relates to NICE guidance Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), which is a recognised reference for diagnosis and management.