Arthrosis Treatment in Thembisa Without Surgery
Treatment of arthritic knees, hips and other joints using SVF and PRP. A doctor reviews your MRI or X-rays free to establish 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)?
Arthrosis (osteoarthritis) means slow, chronic wear of the cartilage lining the joint. Healthy cartilage softens impact; when it thins, the bones rub on each other and the joint hurts, stiffens and moves less. Although flare-ups with swelling happen, this is a degenerative disease rather than an inflammatory one.
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
Large and small joints alike. The joint, the technique and the number of injections are chosen by the doctor based on your scans
Elbow
Pain after sports strain or overuse, plus wear of the joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Pain and stiffness in the small joints of the wrist and fingers
Knee
Stairs and walking cause pain; cartilage wear and meniscus problems
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Wear of the joint and nearby tendons, pain when lifting the arm
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.
Mainly at early and moderate stages of osteoarthritis — to reduce friction between the joint surfaces and slow down cartilage wear.
PRP — platelet-rich plasma from your own blood
We separate plasma rich in platelets and growth factors from a small blood sample and inject it into the joint. This helps quieten inflammation and supports better conditions for tissue repair.
Often chosen for mild osteoarthritis, and paired with SVF if a stronger effect is needed.
How the procedure goes: step by step
Consultation and scan review
The doctor examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue (roughly 30 ml) via a puncture on the abdomen or the inner thigh. Stitches are not needed.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Prepared material is delivered by injection straight into the affected joint, and ultrasound guidance helps with precise placement.
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 examines your joint, looks through your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound and decides whether the procedure is right for you. If you already have scans, you can send them ahead of the visit.
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.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Under local anaesthetic, the doctor collects a small portion of adipose tissue (roughly 30 ml) via a puncture on the abdomen or the inner thigh. Stitches are not needed.
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.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
Prepared material is delivered by injection straight into the affected joint, and ultrasound guidance helps with precise placement.
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
The doctor follows the joint's response at follow-up visits and adjusts the plan as needed — pain tends to ease during the first month, mobility improves over about three months, and the full effect develops over around six months.
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: fever; a cold or the flu; skin inflammation above 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
Typically you go home the same day and return to normal activity within a day or two; the punctures are covered with small dressings. It is expected that the joint may ache a little more in the first week. Pain usually eases over the first month, mobility and activity improve over about three months, and around six months are needed for the full effect. The result's duration is individual and depends on the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors — a fixed outcome cannot be promised. Regular joint-friendly exercise and a healthy weight help it 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
Nothing synthetic, nothing from donors — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used
No crutches
No incisions, only punctures — local anaesthetic and no lengthy rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send us your MRI, X-rays or reports for an independent assessment by a doctor at no cost
Support after the procedure
Our care goes beyond the day of the injection: we keep in touch and follow the result
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?
It is the gradual wearing of the cartilage covering the ends of the bones in a joint. As the cartilage thins, the joint loses its cushioning; the bones rub together, and pain, stiffness and crunching develop. The condition is degenerative rather than inflammatory.
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?
For many patients, first changes come 2–3 weeks after the procedure; a stable result forms over about six months and may last from several months up to several years, depending on the person. Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that needs an ongoing plan, not one injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
Early and moderate stages respond best. Generally, the milder the stage, the faster and longer-lasting the effect, which may cut the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections. When the joint space has almost disappeared at the most advanced stage, a lasting effect cannot be expected.
Which joints are most often affected?
Heavily loaded joints — the knees, hips and ankles — together with the spine and small hand joints. All of them can be treated with regenerative treatment.
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?
X-ray is the main method and it shows the stage; MRI provides detail on the cartilage and soft tissues; ultrasound shows inflammation and joint fluid; blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions. The doctor can review your existing results free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is cartilage wear, with aching pain on movement, crunching and stiffness after rest. Arthritis is inflammation, with pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. Treatment differs, so diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Send us your X-rays, MRI or test results and a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and propose a non-surgical plan where appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
You can, and you should. Suitable activity builds the muscles that unload the joint, feeds the cartilage better and keeps you moving. Choose swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting and sudden movements.
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Other services at our clinic
What Thembisa residents ask about osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic condition in which the cartilage of a joint gradually thins and wears away. For patients from Thembisa, it usually shows as aching pain on movement, stiffness after rest and crunching in the joint.
The right activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint and helps cartilage nutrition. Patients from Thembisa are advised swimming, cycling, Nordic walking or yoga, and to avoid running on hard surfaces, jumping and heavy lifting.
Book a free consultation in Thembisa to find out whether SVF or PRP could slow your osteoarthritis. The doctor names the price after examining the joint.
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