Non-Surgical Osteoarthritis Treatment in Sapporo
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
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Own tissue — your blood and adipose tissue
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation
and review of your scans
What is osteoarthritis
(arthrosis)?
With osteoarthritis (arthrosis), the cartilage that lines a joint gradually wears away over time. This cartilage is the joint's shock absorber, and when it is lost the bones rub against each other, causing pain, stiffness and limited mobility. The condition is degenerative, not inflammatory, although it can flare up with swelling.
Osteoarthritis usually develops in the most heavily loaded joints, such as the knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis), and also in the ankle and small hand joints. It is treated most effectively at early and moderate stages, before the joint surfaces are badly damaged; if the stage is advanced, the doctor will honestly tell you when joint replacement is more realistic.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Small and large joints are treated; the doctor determines the joint, method and number of injections after looking at your scans
Elbow
Pain after overuse or sports strain, wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness and aching in the fingers' and wrist's small joints
Knee
Meniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Pain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
We take a small sample of your adipose tissue and process it to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a mix of cells that take part in tissue repair. It is combined with your own plasma and injected into the affected joint.
Doctors use it chiefly in early and moderate osteoarthritis, aiming to slow cartilage wear and cut friction between the joint surfaces.
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.
It is frequently used for mild osteoarthritis, and combined with SVF when a stronger effect is required.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you after examining the joint and reviewing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Scans you already have can be sent ahead of your visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, under local anaesthetic, is used to take a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml). No stitches afterwards.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Consultation and scan review
The doctor decides whether the procedure suits you after examining the joint and reviewing X-rays, MRI or ultrasound. Scans you already have can be sent ahead of your visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
A puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh, under local anaesthetic, is used to take a small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml). No stitches afterwards.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.
Follow-up
There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch and follows how the joint responds.
Follow-up visits
Follow-up visits show the doctor how your joint responds so the plan can be adjusted; usually pain eases within the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect takes around six months to develop.
Conditions we treat
After an examination and a review of your scans, a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you
What we work with
Arthritis
Arthrosis
Avascular necrosis
Osteoarthritis
Gonarthrosis (knee osteoarthritis)
Coxarthrosis (hip osteoarthritis)
Meniscus pathology and injury
Rehabilitation after injuries and surgery
Inflammatory joint conditions
Contraindications
Cancer
Pregnancy
Blood clotting disorders
Acute infections, including infection in or near the joint
Flare-up of a serious chronic illness
Cancer
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Serious heart, kidney or liver disease
Temporary contraindications: a fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint to be treated
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
After the procedure
Most people go home on the same day and are back to their usual daily activity within a day or two, with small dressings over the puncture sites. The joint may ache a little more during the first week — an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts varies between people and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — nobody can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular, joint-friendly exercise help the result last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
Rather than replacing the joint, we work to preserve it — the treatment involves no surgery
Your own tissue
Just your blood and your adipose tissue — no synthetic material and nothing from donors
No crutches
No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions
Second opinion
Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge
Support after the procedure
After the procedure, we keep in touch and watch the result — our work does not end on the injection day
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
Because the cost varies with the joint, the osteoarthritis stage and the method, the doctor names it after the consultation
Service
Price
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Book a consultation
Call or message us —
our coordinator will contact you shortly
and book your consultation
Joint treatment: frequently asked questions
What is osteoarthritis in simple terms?
It means gradual wear of the cartilage on the ends of the bones in a joint. With thinning cartilage the joint loses cushioning, bones rub against each other and pain, stiffness and crunching set in — a degenerative, not an inflammatory, condition.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Often, yes — as long as treatment is not put off. SVF and PRP injections aim to relieve pain and support the cartilage with no operation. Joint replacement is the final option, for a joint that is already destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
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.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
It works at early and moderate stages: a milder stage usually means a faster and more durable effect and may reduce the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. At the most advanced stage, with the joint space almost gone, you cannot expect a lasting effect.
Which joints are most often affected?
The knees, hips and ankles, which bear the most load, and the spine and small joints of the hand. We use regenerative treatment for all of these joints.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
It tends to progress: pain becomes constant, movement more restricted, the joint may deform and walking may become hard. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with a doctor really make a difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
An X-ray is the primary method, and it shows the stage. MRI details the cartilage and soft tissues, ultrasound shows joint fluid and inflammation, and blood tests help to rule out inflammatory conditions. If you already have test results, the doctor will review them free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
Osteoarthritis means worn cartilage — aching pain when moving, crunching, stiffness after rest. Arthritis means inflammation — pain at night and at rest, swelling, redness, warmth over the joint. As the approach to treatment differs, the diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes — a doctor will review your X-rays, MRI or test results free of charge after you send them, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and suggest a non-surgical plan where it is appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
It is not only possible but advisable. Proper activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and maintains your mobility. Swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga are good choices; running on hard surfaces, jumps, heavy lifting and sudden movements are to be avoided.
City Medical Centre licences
Other services at our clinic
Osteoarthritis treatment in Sapporo: what you should know
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 Sapporo.
Blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions before treatment. If you are a patient from Sapporo, the doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed so you can prepare.
Leave a request, and a coordinator will contact you to arrange a free scan review. The price of osteoarthritis treatment in Sapporo is explained before treatment begins.
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