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

Arthrosis Treatment in Tamale 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

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 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

Suitability for treatment is decided by a doctor, following an examination and a look at your scans

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: fever, flu or a cold, inflamed skin over the joint that is 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 volume of venous blood is collected; from it, platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared later on.

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

Centrifugation separates the sample into layers, and the stromal vascular fraction is isolated, then combined with platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Prepared material is delivered by injection straight into the affected joint, and ultrasound guidance helps with precise placement.

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

We use your own adipose tissue and blood only, with no donor or synthetic material

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.

A doctor explains SVF cell therapy for the knee to a patient on a tablet

Its main use is at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis, to slow the wear of cartilage and lessen 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

Your own blood, in a small amount, is processed to separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors, which goes into the joint to calm inflammation and improve 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

Treatment for both large and small joints — your scans guide the doctor's choice of joint, method and number of injections

  • KneeKneeWorn cartilage and meniscus problems; pain after walking and on the stairs
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain while raising the arm and wear of the joint and its tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain after overuse or sports strain, wear of the joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiff and sore small joints in the wrist and the fingers
  • 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

We use your own adipose tissue and blood only, with no donor or synthetic material

No crutches

No crutches

Done through punctures under local anaesthetic, without incisions or long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Your X-rays, MRI or reports are assessed independently by a doctor at no charge once you send them

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We keep in contact after the procedure and monitor the result, rather than stopping on the day of the injection

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

Choosing osteoarthritis treatment in Tamale

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 Tamale honestly if joint replacement is the more realistic option.

PRP is often used for mild osteoarthritis, and SVF with PRP when a stronger effect is needed. The method and the number of injections are chosen for each patient in Tamale after the examination.

Patients from Tamale 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.

Osteoarthritis in Tamale: why the question comes up so often

Tamale is the capital of the Northern Region and Ghana's third largest city, with a population of 374,744 people as of the 2021 population census. It is also described as one of the fastest-growing cities in West Africa. A city of this size has many people whose daily work depends on healthy knees, hips, hands and the lower back, and joint pain is a common reason for asking about treatment.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. It rarely appears overnight, and it does not usually disappear after one visit or one injection. In Tamale, many people first notice it as stiffness after sitting through a long meeting, a long class or a Friday prayer, or as an ache in the knee after a day at the market or on a farm. Some put it down to age or hard work and wait for years before asking anyone.

This text is for residents of Tamale who want to understand how osteoarthritis treatment with a cell-based approach is planned, what is realistic, and how to prepare questions before a first conversation. It is general information. It does not replace an examination, imaging or the decision of the treating specialist.

The consultation is held online. You contact City Medical Centre from home, and coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You do not need to rearrange your week to start the conversation. You can send questions at night after work or early in the morning before the heat builds.

Climate of Tamale and what it means for joints and recovery

Tamale has a tropical savanna climate with one rainy season a year. Mean monthly temperatures are around 34 °C, and minimum monthly temperatures are around 23 °C. Mean monthly rainfall is about 89 mm over 95 days of rainfall, usually as tropical showers and heavy thunderstorms. Relative humidity is usually lowest between December and March at about 30%, and highest around August at about 70%.

For anyone planning joint treatment, these conditions matter in practical ways. In the hot months, the small puncture site on the abdomen or inner thigh needs to stay clean and dry, so sweat, dusty air and tight clothing deserve attention. Light, loose cotton clothing is more comfortable than synthetic fabric. During the dry season, dust is a reason to keep the skin clean and to follow the wound-care instructions you are given.

In the rainy season, humidity and wet ground raise a different concern: slipping. A person with a painful knee or hip should be careful on wet paths and steps. Good footwear with grip and, if the specialist recommends it, a walking aid are sensible. Many people also report that joints feel worse in damp, cool weather, so keep a note of when symptoms flare, because this helps the specialist see the pattern.

Heat waves are becoming more common in the region. In very hot weather it is easy to forget to drink enough water. Keep water within reach, rest in shade and avoid heavy work in the middle of the day while you are recovering. General advice only: your specialist will tell you what is suitable for your joint and your stage.

What the procedure involves, in simple terms

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 tissue is the source material for the cell-based therapy that the specialist then plans for the affected joint. The exact method and the joint to be treated are decided individually after the review of your records.

For a patient in Tamale, the small size of the puncture means that most of the planning concerns daily life rather than surgery. Ask how to protect the puncture site while you sit on a motorcycle, a bus seat or a plastic chair, and when you can return to normal clothing. Ask what to do if the area becomes red, warm or sore, and whom to message at any hour. Coordinators answer around the clock, so a worrying detail does not have to wait for morning.

It also helps to be honest about what you expect. Cell-based therapy is not a replacement for a joint and it does not make a worn joint young again. 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. A good consultation will tell you which situation applies to you instead of promising more than the joint can deliver.

Timeline of results and the long-term plan

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. These are the only timing figures to rely on, and each person responds differently.

For someone in Tamale, six months covers a full cycle of seasons: the dry months with low humidity and dust, and the rainy period with showers and storms. It is useful to note how the joint behaves in each of them. Keep a simple diary: pain on waking, stiffness, how far you can walk, and how you manage stairs, prayer positions, sitting on the floor or working in the fields. This record makes the follow-up conversation concrete.

Between the early changes and the stable result, avoid the temptation to judge the outcome too early or to stop everything else. Weight management, regular gentle movement and strengthening exercises remain part of the plan. If the first weeks seem uneventful, that does not mean the therapy has failed, and if they go well, it does not mean the plan is finished. Your specialist will set follow-up points and tell you when a repeat assessment makes sense.

Arthritis or osteoarthritis: knowing the difference

Many people use the word arthritis for any joint pain, but the causes differ. 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 different in origin: it is a chronic, wear-related condition of the joint, though inflammation can occur. This distinction matters because an inflamed, hot, swollen joint with night pain needs a different investigation from a knee that aches after walking. If you in Tamale have several swollen joints, fever, or a joint that is suddenly red and hot, speak to a doctor promptly. Do not wait for an online conversation to sort it out.

When you send your first message to the coordinators, describe your symptoms in plain words: which joint, how long, what time of day it is worst, and whether the pain wakes you. Add any earlier X-rays, MRI reports or blood tests you have. This helps the specialist see whether the picture looks like osteoarthritis, an inflammatory process or something that needs another route entirely.

Clinical guidance such as NICE — Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) is a useful general reference on how the condition is assessed and managed, and a good specialist will follow similar principles of careful diagnosis and a long-term plan.

Daily life, work and family events in Tamale

The local economy is based on agriculture, followed by trading, teaching and manufacturing. Each of these asks something different from the joints. Farming means bending, lifting and long hours on uneven ground. Trading means standing for long periods and carrying goods. Teaching means standing at a board and sitting in a classroom. Manufacturing may involve repetitive hand movements or lifting. Tell the specialist exactly what your work involves, because the plan for returning to it depends on that.

Tamale is a major educational centre for Northern Ghana, and many students and teachers spend long hours sitting. Sitting for hours can stiffen the knees and hips, so short breaks to stand and stretch are worth building into the day. For students, the quieter weeks between terms can be a convenient time to start, so that the first weeks of recovery do not overlap with exams.

Family and community life also shapes timing. The city celebrates festivals such as Damba, Bugum chugu, Eid ul-Fitr and Eid Adha, and these bring long gatherings, prayers, cooking and visiting. Standing for hours, kneeling or sitting on the floor can be hard on an arthritic joint. If you want to be comfortable at a particular celebration, discuss the date with the specialist and plan the start of treatment around it, rather than rushing back to full activity.

Food culture matters too. Meals built around staples such as millet, maize, rice and groundnut stews are part of daily life, and portion size and weight affect load on the knees and hips. The WHO treats excess weight as a significant health concern, and for a person with osteoarthritis even modest weight control can ease the load on weight-bearing joints. Your specialist can suggest a realistic approach that fits local meals instead of an unfamiliar diet.

Choosing the season and planning the weeks after the procedure

There is no single best month in Tamale, but the weather offers some guidance. The dry months, when humidity is low, are easier for keeping the puncture site dry. They are also dustier and very hot, so protection from dust and plenty of water are necessary. The rainy season is less hot but wetter, with a risk of slipping on muddy ground and a greater need to keep skin and dressings dry.

Think about your own calendar as well: the farming season, school terms, festival dates and any period when you must carry heavy loads. For farmers, the busiest part of the season is not a good moment to be limited in movement. For teachers and office workers, a holiday or lighter period can make the first days easier. Plan for help at home with heavy tasks for the first period, and arrange for someone to assist with shopping or carrying water if needed.

Practical points for the first days: wear loose clothing that does not rub the abdomen or inner thigh, keep the area clean and follow the wound-care instructions exactly. Avoid soaking in dirty water, and ask the specialist before returning to any swimming or pool activity. Rest the treated joint as advised and increase activity step by step rather than all at once.

Sport is part of the city too. Football is a central interest in Tamale, with local clubs and a large stadium, and many residents play informally. If you play, jog or coach, ask when it is reasonable to return and in what form. Often the plan begins with walking and gentle strengthening before any running or jumping, and the specialist should set those stages for your joint.

How the online consultation from Tamale works

The consultation is free and takes place online, so you stay in Tamale. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram. You write or send voice messages, share photographs of reports and imaging, and receive questions in return. This suits people who work irregular hours, who live in a quieter part of the city or who prefer to involve a family member in the discussion.

Prepare in advance: your age, the joint or joints affected, how long you have had symptoms, previous treatments such as tablets, physiotherapy or injections, other illnesses, medicines you take and any allergies. Send clear photographs of X-ray or MRI images and written reports if you have them. If connectivity is slow, short messages and compressed images are enough to begin, and more can follow later.

After the review, the specialist can explain whether your stage suggests that this approach may be considered, what other options exist, and what further tests are needed. Local tests and imaging in Tamale can usually be arranged through a clinician you already trust, and the results can be shared online. The online conversation does not replace a physical examination where one is needed, and an honest recommendation may be to start with another form of care.

Take your time. You are under no obligation to decide after the first conversation. Discuss it with family, check your questions and return to the coordinators whenever you wish.

Who may be a candidate and who should be cautious

In general terms, people with osteoarthritis at early stages, whose joint still keeps some structure, are the group in whom cell-based therapy is most often considered. 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. If imaging shows advanced damage, a frank conversation about surgical options is better than a procedure with limited expected benefit.

Caution is needed in several situations, and the specialist will review them with you: active infection, an inflammatory arthritis that is not yet properly diagnosed, certain blood or bleeding problems, active cancer, pregnancy, or any condition that makes even a small local-anaesthetic procedure unsuitable. Tell the specialist everything, including traditional or herbal preparations you use, since these can affect bleeding or interact with medicines.

If your joint is hot, red and swollen, or the pain is mainly at night and at rest, with morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, an inflammatory cause must be considered first, and that is a matter for a rheumatology assessment before anything else. Treating the wrong condition wastes time and can let damage progress.

Whatever the decision, general measures remain valuable: keeping a healthy weight, strengthening the muscles around the joint, using sensible footwear and pacing heavy work. They are the foundation on which any other treatment sits.

Do I need to leave Tamale for the first consultation?

No. The first consultation is free and online. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, who are available around the clock (24/7), and you send your questions and reports from home.

What exactly is taken from my body?

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. This tissue is the source material for the therapy.

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 and can last from several months to several years, depending on the individual.

Is one treatment enough to cure osteoarthritis?

No. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. Exercise, weight control and follow-up are all part of that plan.

Is this suitable at any stage?

It depends on the 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 is arthritis different from osteoarthritis?

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 two need different assessment.

Does the heat of Tamale affect recovery?

It can. With mean monthly temperatures around 34 °C, keep the puncture site clean and dry, wear loose cotton clothing, drink water regularly and avoid heavy work in the midday heat while recovering. Follow the wound-care instructions you are given.

How should I plan around my work or farming season?

Tell the specialist what your work involves, whether farming, trading, teaching or manufacturing, and choose a lighter period if possible. Arrange help with heavy tasks at first and return to full load step by step as advised.

Can I take part in festivals and prayers after treatment?

Ask the specialist for your own case. Long standing, kneeling or sitting on the floor can strain a painful joint, so plan the start of treatment away from major celebrations such as Damba or Eid, and increase activity gradually.

What should I ask the specialist?

Ask which stage your joint is at, whether this approach suits it, what the alternatives are, which tests are needed, how long the effect may last in your case, how to protect the puncture site in hot weather, when you can return to work and sport, and how to reach the coordinators if something worries you.