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SVF and PRP for Osteoarthritis in Ruiru

Knee, hip or another joint affected by arthrosis? SVF cell therapy and PRP, with a no-cost look at your X-rays or MRI to define the stage

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)?

Arthrosis, or osteoarthritis, is chronic: the cartilage inside the joint gets thinner and gradually disappears. Without this shock-absorbing layer the bones rub together, and pain, stiffness and a narrower range of motion follow. The process is degenerative; inflammation is not its cause, although swollen flare-ups are possible.

  • 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

Your scans are reviewed and you are examined — then a doctor decides whether the 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: flu or a cold, fever, or skin inflammation over the joint being 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

Your joint is examined and your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed; then the doctor decides if the procedure suits you. You may send any scans you have before you come.

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

The doctor numbs the area with local anaesthetic and takes about 30 ml of adipose tissue through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh; stitches are not required.

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 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

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

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

It is used mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis to slow cartilage wear and reduce 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 blood sample provides plasma rich in platelets and growth factors; this is injected into the joint to help ease inflammation and create better conditions for the tissue to 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

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

  • KneeKneePain after walking and climbing stairs, worn cartilage, meniscus problems
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWorn joint and surrounding tendons, with pain when the arm is raised
  • ElbowElbowPain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsSmall joints of the fingers and wrist: pain and stiffness
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

We aim to preserve your own joint rather than replace it, with treatment that avoids 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

Local anaesthetic, punctures rather than incisions, and no long 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

We remain in touch after the procedure and track the outcome, not merely 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

The price depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis, so the doctor gives it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Choosing osteoarthritis treatment in Ruiru

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

Follow-up visits let the doctor see how the joint responds. In Ruiru, check-ups after one, three and six months help adjust the plan and decide whether a repeat course is needed.

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

Ruiru and the question of joint pain

Ruiru is a municipality and sub-county in Kiambu County, within the greater Nairobi Metropolitan region. In the 2019 national census its population was 490,120, which made it the fourth-largest urban centre in Kenya. A town that has grown this quickly is full of people who spend long days on their feet, on building sites, in factories, in classrooms and on the road, and many of them eventually notice that a knee, hip or hand no longer works as it used to.

This text is written for residents of Ruiru who are weighing up osteoarthritis treatment. It explains how the process works when you start from home, what the medical facts are, how the local climate, work and family routines affect planning, and which questions are worth bringing to a specialist. It is general information and does not replace a personal examination.

The City Medical Centre offers a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send your first message in the evening after work or early in the morning before the commute along Thika Road, and you do not need to rearrange your day around an appointment.

What osteoarthritis is and how it differs from other forms of arthritis

Many people in Ruiru use the words arthritis and osteoarthritis as if they meant the same thing, but the distinction matters. 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, by contrast, is chronic. That is why it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. A sensible plan combines a clear diagnosis, regular movement, attention to body weight, sensible footwear and, where appropriate, a procedure that supports the joint. If a joint is hot, red and swollen, or if pain wakes you at night, tell the coordinator at the very first contact, because that picture points toward an inflammatory cause that needs to be checked first.

Guidance such as NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), is a useful reference point. It stresses careful assessment and a continuing approach to management, and you can ask the specialist how your plan relates to such recommendations.

Work in Ruiru and the load on your joints

Ruiru is an industrial town. Large factories, including steel, foam, garment, roofing and feed producers, operate here, and the Tatu City Industrial Park hosts many more manufacturers. Work on a production line or in a warehouse often means standing for hours, lifting, bending and repeating the same movement, all of which can aggravate painful knees, hips and hands.

If your job is physical, mention it in the consultation. The specialist will want to know which movements hurt, whether the pain is worse at the end of a shift, and whether you can adjust tasks for a period. For people in offices, banks and the growing technology businesses of the town, the issue is often the opposite: long sitting, stiffness after getting up, and few chances to move.

Think in advance about how you will talk to your employer or supervisor. A realistic plan for a period of lighter duties is easier to arrange when you raise it early rather than on the day you need it.

How SVF therapy is performed

The medical facts are straightforward. 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.

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 single most important point for anyone who has lived with joint pain for years: the stage of the disease decides which options are realistic, so an honest assessment of the stage comes before any decision.

When you speak to the specialist from Ruiru, ask which stage your joint is at, what imaging or reports they need, and whether SVF therapy is reasonable for you or whether a different path, including surgery, is more suitable.

Results and timing: what to expect

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. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the result is not a once-and-for-all cure but part of a longer plan.

For someone planning life in Ruiru, this means thinking in seasons rather than days. If you begin in one part of the year, the six-month period in which the result forms will cover other parts of the year with different demands: school terms, farming and trading cycles, family events and busy production periods at work.

Be patient with the early weeks and keep a simple diary of pain, stiffness and how far you can walk. It helps the specialist judge progress and decide on follow-up.

Climate, dust and recovery in Ruiru

Ruiru lies in the Nairobi region, and the town is known for its black cotton soil, which the name itself may refer to. Soil of this type becomes sticky and slippery in wet weather and dries into dust and cracks in dry spells. Both conditions matter for someone with a sore joint or a fresh puncture site.

During rainy periods, take care on muddy paths and uneven surfaces, wear shoes with a good grip and avoid rushing across slippery ground. In dry and dusty weather, keep the puncture area clean and covered as the doctor advises, and avoid dusty work until the skin has settled. Strong midday sun is best handled with loose, light clothing and shade, and with plenty of water.

These are general suggestions only. Follow the specific care instructions the specialist gives you, including anything about bathing, swimming and sports.

Family, food and everyday life during recovery

Housing in Ruiru has expanded fast, with many former coffee estates turned into residential areas. Many families live in new neighbourhoods with long walks to matatu stops, markets and schools. Before the procedure, plan who will help with shopping, cooking, school runs and carrying heavy loads for the first days.

Family gatherings, church events and weekend meals are important in daily life, and they often involve long standing, serving and carrying. Tell relatives in advance that you will be taking it slower for a while. A shared meal is easier to enjoy when somebody else is cooking.

Body weight puts load on the knees and hips. WHO describes obesity and overweight as a major health concern, and a balanced diet with local vegetables, legumes and less sugary drinks is a sensible part of an ongoing osteoarthritis plan. Discuss any dietary changes with your doctor rather than starting a strict regime on your own.

Students and active people

Ruiru is home to the main campuses of Zetech University and Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology, and other institutions have campuses nearby. Young people with sport injuries or early joint problems may also ask about treatment, although osteoarthritis is more common in older adults.

For students, the practical questions are about timetables: lectures with long sitting, walking between buildings, and field activities. Arrange the plan outside examination periods where possible.

Runners, footballers and gym users should ask the specialist exactly when to return to training and which activities to choose in the early period. Swimming, cycling and walking on level ground are often discussed as gentler options, but the individual advice you receive is what counts.

Who may be a candidate and who may not

In general terms, people with early-stage osteoarthritis (stages 1–2), where the joint is still preserved, are the group in which SVF therapy may be considered. People with advanced damage are usually told that surgery is required.

Contraindications and cautions are decided individually. Be ready to tell the specialist about active infection, inflammatory or autoimmune disease, gout, psoriasis, blood-thinning medicines, previous joint operations and any chronic illness. Pain at rest and at night, marked swelling, redness or warmth need a diagnosis before any procedure is planned.

Bring existing X-rays, MRI reports and blood test results to the conversation. The more complete the picture, the more precise the answer you will receive.

How the remote consultation works from Ruiru

The first step is a message on Telegram or Telegram. A coordinator, available 24/7, collects basic information: your age, which joint hurts, how long, what treatment you have tried and which documents you have. The online consultation is free.

You then share images and reports, and the specialist reviews them and discusses the stage of the disease and suitable options. Mobile networks in and around Nairobi make photo and video exchange easy, and a quiet corner at home or at work is enough.

Questions to ask: What stage is my joint? Is SVF therapy suitable, or is another approach better? What should I expect at 2–3 weeks and at six months? What follow-up plan is needed because the disease is chronic? What should I avoid in daily life and at work?

Is the online consultation really free for people in Ruiru?

Yes. The first online consultation is free, and coordinators answer on Telegram and Telegram around the clock (24/7).

How is the tissue 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 a change?

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.

Is SVF therapy suitable at any stage?

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.

How do I tell arthritis from osteoarthritis?

Arthritis is an inflammatory disease. 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 rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. A specialist should confirm the diagnosis.

Can I keep working in a factory or warehouse job in Ruiru?

Discuss your tasks with the specialist. Heavy lifting and long standing may need adjusting for a period, and the doctor will advise on return to work.

Does the rainy season or dusty weather matter?

Muddy ground raises the risk of slipping, and dust is best kept away from the puncture site. Follow the care instructions you are given.

Does body weight matter?

Extra weight loads the knees and hips, and WHO treats obesity and overweight as a significant health issue. Ask the specialist for advice suited to you.

What should I prepare before writing to the coordinator?

Your age, the affected joint, how long it has hurt, current medicines, and any X-rays, MRI or blood test reports.