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Arthrosis Treatment in Rustenburg Without Surgery

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

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 is a chronic condition, also referred to as arthrosis, in which the joint's cartilage thins and erodes step by step. As the cushioning layer fails, bones start rubbing together — the source of pain, stiffness and a reduced range of movement. It is a wear-related, degenerative disease; swollen flare-ups can still appear.

  • 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 this treatment is right for you is a doctor's decision, made after an examination and a scan review

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 raised temperature, a cold or flu, inflamed skin above the target joint

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 checks the joint, studies your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides if this procedure fits your case. If scans are already done, send them before the visit.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A small amount of venous blood is drawn, to be processed later into platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are needed.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

After spinning in a centrifuge, the sample forms layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated from them and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Directly into the affected joint, under ultrasound guidance — this is how the prepared material is injected for precise placement.

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

From a small sample of your adipose tissue, the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) is isolated — a set of cells involved in repairing tissue. Mixed with your own plasma, it is then injected into the joint that is affected.

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

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

Mild osteoarthritis is a common indication; when a stronger effect is needed, it is used together 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

Any joint, large or small — once your scans are reviewed, the doctor settles on the joint, the method and the injection count

  • KneeKneePain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowWear of joint surfaces, pain after heavy use 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

Instead of replacing your joint, we work to keep it — 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

Local anaesthetic and small punctures in place of incisions — no long recovery programme or rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Share your X-rays, MRI or medical reports and get a free, independent assessment from a doctor

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

After the procedure we stay in contact and track the result — not just on 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

Cost varies with the stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method — the doctor states it after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

About osteoarthritis treatment for patients from Rustenburg

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 Rustenburg honestly if joint replacement is the more realistic option.

The procedure does not require crutches or a hospital stay. Patients from Rustenburg return to normal daily activity within a day or two and receive recommendations on load for the first weeks.

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

Osteoarthritis care for people in Rustenburg: what to expect

Rustenburg is a city at the foot of the Magaliesberg mountain range. Its name means “Town of Rest” in Afrikaans and Dutch, which sits oddly beside the reality of many residents' working lives. Osteoarthritis tends to appear in the knees, hips, hands and spine of people who have spent years on their feet, lifting, kneeling or driving. In a city so closely tied to mining, many people recognise that pattern.

Osteoarthritis is chronic. It needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. That one idea shapes how we talk to patients from Rustenburg. We do not offer a one-time fix. We help you build a sequence: an accurate diagnosis, a realistic goal, a decision about which methods suit your stage, and regular review afterwards.

City Medical Centre works with patients in Rustenburg through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You can write from home or after a shift, send your scans and a short description of your symptoms, and get a structured answer without rearranging your week around an appointment.

Rustenburg, its climate and the joints

Rustenburg has a humid subtropical climate with a relatively high degree of day-to-night temperature variation because of its elevation. Summers, from December to February, are very warm, though the altitude keeps them from being as hot as one might expect. Winters, from June to August, are mild, with occasional frost at night. Rain falls mainly in summer.

Many people with osteoarthritis say their joints feel different when the weather changes. Cold winter mornings can make stiffness more noticeable and the first steps after waking harder. The wide gap between cool nights and warm days is something to plan around: warm layers early in the day, gentle movement before getting started, and a warm shower to loosen the joints. These are everyday habits, not treatments. They are worth discussing with your doctor because they affect how you describe your symptoms.

The clinical picture matters too. Osteoarthritis is not the same as inflammatory arthritis. Typical signs of arthritis include 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 joint is hot, red and swollen, or the stiffness lasts longer than half an hour in the morning, tell the coordinator at the start. The approach may be quite different.

Work in a mining city and the load on the joints

Rustenburg is described as the world's leading platinum-producing city. There are 41 platinum mines in the area, and mining accounts for about half of the local economy and half of all direct jobs. Finance and retail follow at a considerable distance. Whether you work underground, on a processing plant, in logistics, in a shop or in an office, your joints carry your job.

Heavy lifting, long hours of standing, repeated kneeling and climbing stairs or ladders all put load on the knees and hips. Desk and driving work brings its own problems: sitting still for hours stiffens hips and knees. When you describe your problem to the surgeon, be specific about your tasks, not just your job title. “I kneel for most of my shift” tells the doctor more than “I work in a mine”.

Planning matters as much as the method. If your work is physically demanding, discuss in advance whether lighter duties are possible during recovery, whether you need a medical note, and when a return to full duty is reasonable. We do not give a fixed date for this, because it depends on the joint, the stage of disease and the method chosen. The surgeon will set the timing after reviewing your case. Bring the question to the first consultation rather than leaving it until later.

Sport, stadiums and an active city

Rustenburg takes its sport seriously. It was a host city of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with the 42,000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium nearby. Olympia Park hosted some games of the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The city also has a judo club that has done very well in national championships, a skydiving club, two swimming clubs, a cricket ground, and a golf club in the middle of the city with a park run among its facilities. Nearby Sun City hosts a well-known golf tournament.

For someone with osteoarthritis, this culture is both motivation and a risk. Many residents are former players, or still play on weekends. Pain often leads people to stop exercising altogether, which weakens the muscles that support the joint. The sensible aim is a managed programme: low-impact activity, strengthening, and a clear understanding of which sports your joint can still tolerate.

Swimming is a good example of a question to ask. Water is often easier on painful joints, and the city has swimming clubs. But after any procedure that involves a puncture, the doctor decides when the water is safe again. Do not return to the pool, a sports match or a golf round on your own timetable. Ask for a written plan that says which activities you may do at each stage of recovery.

How the SVF approach works and what the numbers say

SVF therapy starts with a small harvest of 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. The material is then processed so that it can be used in the treatment plan the doctor has agreed with you.

On timing, be realistic. 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. This is the honest range, and nobody can tell you in advance where in it you will fall. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, a good result is something to maintain with exercise, weight management and follow-up, not something to assume is finished.

Stage matters most. 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 your scans and a clear staging are the first step. If a doctor tells you that a single method suits every joint at every stage, ask for the reasoning.

Who is a candidate and who is not

In general terms, the people who benefit most from considering this approach are those at early stages of joint damage, who still have a functioning joint and want to postpone or avoid replacement. People with moderate symptoms who have already tried exercise, physiotherapy and standard pain management, and who still struggle with daily life, are the usual group for a conversation.

Some situations call for caution or a different route. An active infection, a hot swollen joint with a suspected inflammatory or infectious cause, a gout flare, or an untreated autoimmune condition all need to be sorted out first. Advanced damage at later stages is generally a surgical question. Other health conditions, medicines that affect bleeding, and previous treatment of the same joint should all be reported in full.

The NICE guideline Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) is a useful reference for the basics: assessment, education, exercise and weight management as the foundation of care. Weight matters in a practical way, because extra body weight loads the knees and hips. The World Health Organization publishes general information on overweight and obesity that many patients find helpful as background. Your doctor will tell you how this applies to you.

Food, family occasions and choosing the season

Planning around family events is something patients in Rustenburg raise often. Weekend gatherings, braais, weddings, funerals and church events involve long stretches of standing, sitting on low chairs, carrying dishes and travelling by car or bus on the day. Each of these can be uncomfortable with a painful knee or hip, and each is worth thinking about when you pick a date.

Season is a personal choice more than a medical rule. Winters are mild, with occasional frost at night, so recovery can be comfortable, though cold mornings can increase stiffness. Summers are very warm, with rain mainly in that season; heat can make compression garments and dressings unpleasant, and swelling can feel worse in warm weather. Whichever season you choose, avoid scheduling the procedure immediately before a major event, and leave a margin in case recovery is slower than you hoped.

Food culture deserves a sentence. A traditional diet rich in meat and starch is part of life here, and nobody needs to give it up. But weight, blood sugar and general inflammation all affect joints, so a conversation with a doctor or dietitian about everyday meals is useful. Plan for easy, ready-made food at home in the first days after the harvest, so that you are not standing in the kitchen for long periods.

Remote consultation from Rustenburg, step by step

The first contact is free and online. Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any hour, since they are available around the clock (24/7). Say which joint troubles you, how long it has bothered you, what the pain is like at rest and at night, and how long morning stiffness lasts. Mention any diagnosis you already have, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Next, send what you have: X-rays, MRI reports, blood tests, and a list of current medicines and previous treatments. Photographs of the joint can help if there is swelling or redness. The medical team reviews the material and replies with an assessment of the stage, whether SVF therapy is something to consider, or whether another route, including surgery, is more suitable.

You do not need to decide quickly. Ask your questions, discuss them with family, and compare the plan with advice from your own doctor in the city. Good care is built on information you understand. If the answer for your joint is that this approach is not appropriate, we will tell you so plainly.

Questions to ask the surgeon before you decide

Prepare a short list before the online consultation. Which stage is my joint at, and how was that decided? Is my problem osteoarthritis alone, or is there an inflammatory element? What is the realistic goal: less pain, better walking, delaying replacement? What happens if the result is smaller than I hoped?

Ask about the procedure itself. Where is the tissue taken from, what anaesthetic is used, and will I have stitches? Under local anaesthetic, about 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, and no stitches are needed. Ask what I should and should not do in the first days, which activities to avoid, and when I can return to work, driving, swimming and sport.

Ask about the long term. When should I expect the first changes, and when is the result stable? Many patients notice changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and a stable result forms over about six months. Ask how the result is monitored, what exercise and weight plan supports it, and when a repeat assessment makes sense. A clear, honest answer to each of these is a good sign.

Is the consultation really free for someone in Rustenburg?

Yes. The online consultation is free. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, send your scans and a description of your symptoms, and receive a medical assessment without any obligation to proceed.

Can I write outside normal working hours?

Yes. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can write after a shift, early in the morning or on a weekend.

Which stage of osteoarthritis is SVF therapy considered for?

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. Your scans decide which applies to you.

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 difference?

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.

Is one treatment enough?

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. Exercise, weight management and regular review are part of that plan.

How do I tell osteoarthritis from inflammatory arthritis?

Typical signs of arthritis include 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 you notice these signs, tell the coordinator at the start, because the approach may differ.

I work in the mining industry. How should I plan my recovery?

Describe your actual tasks, such as lifting, kneeling or climbing, in the consultation. The surgeon will advise on lighter duties and when a return to full work is reasonable. Raise this early, so you can discuss it with your employer in good time.

Can I keep swimming or playing sport in Rustenburg?

Low-impact activity usually helps joints, but after the procedure the doctor sets when you may return to the pool, the golf course or team sport. Ask for a written plan for each stage of recovery.

What should I send for the first consultation?

Send X-rays, MRI reports, blood tests, a list of current medicines and earlier treatments, and a short description of your pain, stiffness and daily limits. The more complete the information, the more accurate the assessment.