Arthrosis Treatment in Sarajevo Without Surgery
Cell therapy (SVF) plus PRP for arthrosis of the knee, hip and beyond. Send your X-rays or MRI — the stage review costs nothing
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)?
In osteoarthritis, sometimes called arthrosis, the joint's cartilage lining wears away bit by bit over years. That cartilage normally absorbs shock; once it breaks down, bone rubs on bone and the joint becomes painful, stiff and less mobile. It is a disease of wear rather than inflammation, even if episodes of swelling happen.
The joints under the heaviest load are affected most often: the knee (gonarthrosis), the hip (coxarthrosis), the ankle and the small joints of the hand. Treatment gives the best results at early and moderate stages, while the joint surfaces are still in fair condition; if the stage is advanced, the doctor will say plainly when joint replacement is the more realistic choice.
No surgery — an injection instead of an operation
Ultrasound guidance for every injection
Free consultation and review of your scans
Joints we treat
Large joints and small joints — having reviewed your scans, the doctor chooses which joint, which method and how many injections
Elbow
Worn joint surfaces and pain following overuse or sports strain
Hand and wrist joints
Stiff, painful small joints in the fingers and the wrist
Knee
Cartilage wear, meniscus problems, pain on stairs and after walking
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Worn joint and surrounding tendons, with pain when the arm is raised
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
A small sample of your adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — a mix of cells involved in tissue repair. Combined with your own plasma, it is injected into the affected joint.
Most often it is applied in early and moderate osteoarthritis, helping slow the wear of cartilage and reduce friction in the joint.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
Plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is obtained from a small volume of your blood and injected into the joint, where it helps calm inflammation and improves conditions for tissue repair.
For mild osteoarthritis it is often used alone, and with SVF when the effect needs to be stronger.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
Examination of the joint plus a review of your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound tells the doctor whether the procedure is suitable. If you have scans already, you can send them before the appointment.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material goes straight into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Consultation and scan review
Examination of the joint plus a review of your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound tells the doctor whether the procedure is suitable. If you have scans already, you can send them before the appointment.
Blood sample for PRP
A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
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 centrifuge
In a centrifuge the sample separates into layers; the stromal vascular fraction is isolated and combined with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
The prepared material goes straight into the affected joint; ultrasound guidance helps position it precisely.
Follow-up
You go without crutches and without a hospital stay; the doctor keeps in touch afterwards and follows the joint's response.
Follow-up visits
At the follow-up visits the doctor reviews the joint's response and adjusts the plan. Expect pain to ease over the first month, mobility to improve over about three months and the full effect to develop over around six months.
Conditions we treat
Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of your scans
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 cold, flu or fever, or inflamed skin over the joint planned for treatment
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
Treatment without surgery — our aim is to keep your own joint, not to replace it
Your own tissue
Only your own blood and adipose tissue are used — no donor or synthetic material
No crutches
No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions
Second opinion
Send X-rays, MRI or reports and receive a doctor's independent assessment for free
Support after the procedure
After the procedure we stay in contact and track the result — not just on injection day
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor names the cost after the consultation — it depends on the joint, the method and how advanced the osteoarthritis is
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?
Osteoarthritis is slow wear of the cartilage over the ends of the bones inside a joint. Thinner cartilage means less cushioning, so the bones rub and you get pain, stiffness and crunching. It is degenerative, not inflammatory.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Many patients can, if treatment is not delayed. The aim of SVF and PRP injections is to ease pain and support the cartilage without an operation, and joint replacement is the last option — for a joint already destroyed.
How soon will I notice a result?
Many patients report the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure. A stable result develops over about six months and lasts from several months to several years depending on the individual. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the approach is an ongoing plan rather than a single injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
It is used at early and moderate stages; the milder the stage, the faster and more lasting the effect usually is, possibly reducing the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. At the most advanced stage — joint space almost gone — a lasting effect is not realistic.
Which joints are most often affected?
The joints with the highest load, namely knees, hips and ankles, as well as the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment covers 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 remains the main method and shows the stage, while MRI gives a detailed picture of cartilage and soft tissues. Ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help rule out inflammatory diseases. Existing results can be reviewed by the doctor free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
In osteoarthritis the cartilage wears, causing aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest; in arthritis the joint is inflamed, with pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth. The treatment approach differs, so diagnosis is the first step.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
You can. Once you send your X-rays, MRI or test results, a doctor reviews them free of charge, assesses the osteoarthritis stage and suggests a non-surgical plan if it fits.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
Yes — and it is recommended. The right activity strengthens the muscles that take load off the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and keeps you mobile. Good choices are swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga; avoid jumping, running on hard surfaces, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
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Other services at our clinic
Osteoarthritis treatment in Sarajevo: what you should know
Treatment of osteoarthritis in Sarajevo uses your own tissue: plasma from a small blood sample and the stromal vascular fraction from a small sample of adipose tissue. There is no donor or synthetic material.
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 Sarajevo, it is done in one day.
Patients from Sarajevo 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.
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