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Osteoarthritis in Uyo: Treatment by Stage

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)?

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.

  • 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

Your scans are reviewed and you are examined — then a doctor decides whether the treatment suits you

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

Your joint is examined and your X-rays, MRI or ultrasound are reviewed; then the doctor decides if the procedure suits you. You may send any scans you have before you come.

Blood sample for PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

A little blood is drawn from a vein; platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from it later.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

A small portion of adipose tissue (about 30 ml) is taken under local anaesthetic through a puncture on the abdomen or inner thigh. There is no need for stitches.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

Under ultrasound guidance the prepared material is injected straight into the affected joint, which helps to place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact afterwards and monitors the joint's response.

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

Only material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

First a small sample of adipose tissue is processed to isolate the stromal vascular fraction (SVF) — cells involved in tissue repair. This fraction, combined with your plasma, is then injected into the affected joint.

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

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

Small and large joints are treated; the doctor determines the joint, method and number of injections after looking at your scans

  • KneeKneePain on stairs and after walks, cartilage wear, meniscus issues
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderRaising the arm is painful; wear of the joint and nearby tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain that follows sports strain or overuse, and joint surface wear
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsPainful, stiff small joints of the wrist and fingers
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Keeping your own joint instead of replacing it: that is the goal of treatment without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Only material from your body — blood and adipose tissue — no donor or synthetic products

No crutches

No crutches

Instead of incisions we use punctures, under local anaesthetic, with no long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

An independent assessment from a doctor, free of charge — send your X-rays, MRI or reports

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

Not just the injection day — we stay in touch after the procedure and follow your result

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

Since the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis determine the cost, it is named by the doctor 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 Uyo

Cartilage works as a shock absorber. When it thins, the bones start to rub against each other, and the joint becomes painful and less mobile. Osteoarthritis in Uyo is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one, although flare-ups with swelling happen.

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 Uyo, it is done in one day.

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

Uyo and the question of joint pain

Uyo is the capital of Akwa Ibom state in South South Nigeria. It became the state capital on September 23, 1987, when Akwa Ibom was created from the former Cross River State. Since then the city has grown into an administrative, educational and commercial centre, and that daily rhythm shapes how people live with joint pain. Civil servants, teachers, traders, students and drivers all depend on their knees, hips, hands and spine, and many first notice stiffness on stairs, in the market or after a long church service.

The 2006 Nigerian Census gives the population of Uyo, including Itu, as 427,873, while the greater urban area, including Uruan, is 554,906. A later estimate puts the population of Uyo at 1,393,000 as at 2024. With so many people in and around the city, osteoarthritis is a common topic in families, workplaces and congregations, even though people often call it simply “bad knees” or “old age”.

This text explains how a person living in Uyo can approach osteoarthritis treatment in an orderly way: what to ask, how to plan the season and the working week, how the free online consultation with City Medical Centre works, and what a realistic result looks like. It is general information and does not replace an examination.

Osteoarthritis and arthritis: what is the difference

Patients in Uyo often use the words arthritis and osteoarthritis as if they meant the same thing. They do not. 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 condition. It is mainly a wear-related process in the cartilage and the tissues around the joint, and it tends to cause pain that grows with load and eases with rest. Because the two conditions need different treatment, a red, hot, swollen joint with night pain should be examined promptly instead of being treated at home with the same pills used for an old knee.

During the online consultation the coordinator and the specialist ask exactly these questions: when the pain appears, whether the joint is warm or swollen, how long the morning stiffness lasts, and whether there is a history of gout, psoriasis or infection. Clear answers save time and keep the plan safe.

What patients from Uyo usually ask

The questions people in Akwa Ibom ask most often are practical. Will I be able to keep working? Can I kneel or sit on the floor at family events? Is one injection enough? How soon will I feel something? What is done to my body, and is it a surgery?

The honest answer to the question about one injection is no. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. That plan can include movement, weight management, strengthening exercises, pain control and, where suitable, a cell-based procedure. A good consultation explains which parts apply to you.

Another frequent question is about the stage of the disease. 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. So an honest assessment of imaging and symptoms comes before any decision, and sometimes the answer is that this method is not the right one.

How the SVF procedure is done

SVF therapy uses your own adipose 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. That is the whole collection step, and it is why many people ask whether it is closer to a small procedure than to an operation.

For a patient in Uyo this matters for planning. A small puncture and no stitches mean there is no large wound to protect in humid weather, though the puncture area still needs clean, dry care according to the instructions you receive. Your specialist will explain what to avoid in the first days and when to report redness, warmth or unusual pain around the puncture.

Do not compare it with a joint replacement. The aim of SVF in early osteoarthritis is to support the joint and delay the need for surgery, not to replace it. Asking the specialist to explain the aim in your own case, in plain words, is the best starting point.

Climate of Uyo and recovery

Uyo has warm, cloudy wet seasons and hot, largely cloudy dry seasons, with a year-round oppressive environment. Temperatures range from 21 °C (70 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F), and humidity ranges from 67 to 88%. These facts matter for recovery, because heat and humidity affect skin care, sweating, swelling and comfort at night.

In practical terms: keep the puncture areas clean and dry, wear loose breathable cotton clothing, and avoid long hours in an unventilated room or a crowded minibus in the afternoon heat. Warm weather can make a joint feel more swollen by the end of the day, so rest with the leg raised when you can, and tell your specialist if swelling keeps increasing instead of settling.

In the wet season, wet floors, mud and slippery steps are a real hazard for a painful knee or hip. Good shoes with grip, a stick if advised, and extra time for walking reduce the chance of a fall. In the dry season, drink enough water and protect yourself from the sun with a hat or umbrella when walking outdoors. This is general advice only: follow the exact instructions you receive and do not use swimming pools or sea water until the specialist confirms the puncture areas have healed.

Choosing the season and planning around city life

Because the climate in Uyo has no cold season, the choice of month depends less on temperature and more on your calendar. Think about school terms, the work year, major church and family events, and the days when roads are hardest in heavy rain. A calm period with fewer obligations makes it easier to follow the recovery plan.

Many residents work in government offices, schools, the University of Uyo, trade and services, and the city has 5 tertiary institutions and many public schools. A teacher who stands all day, a trader who lifts stock and a driver who sits for hours each load the joints differently. Tell the specialist your exact daily tasks so that the return-to-work plan matches them.

Food culture is part of planning as well. Rich soups, fried food and sugary drinks are part of daily meals and celebrations, and excess weight adds load to the knees and hips. The World Health Organization treats obesity and overweight as a major health issue, and gradual weight control is among the most useful supports for osteoarthritis. A realistic plan changes portions and cooking methods rather than banning the foods you love.

Results, timing and realistic expectations

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. These ranges are wide on purpose: bodies differ, joints differ, and the stage of osteoarthritis matters a lot.

This means that judging the procedure after one week is too early, and judging it by a single good or bad day is misleading. Keep a simple diary: pain on a scale you choose, distance you can walk, how stairs feel, how you sleep. Share it during follow-up consultations so that adjustments are based on observations rather than memory.

Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the result does not remove the need for exercise, weight control and sensible loading. Guidance such as NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), stresses an ongoing, individual plan. Ask the specialist how your plan will continue after the first six months.

Return to work, sport and family life

Return to normal activity depends on your job, the joint treated and how the puncture area heals. Desk work in an office or a school may be resumed sooner than work involving heavy lifting, long walks or climbing. Do not decide this alone: ask the specialist for a written step-by-step plan that matches your own duties.

Football is a strong part of local sporting life, and the city has the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, so many patients ask about playing or even about watching matches in crowded stands. Start with gentle walking and strengthening, add load slowly, and avoid sudden twisting or jumping until the specialist agrees. Pain that grows during an activity is a signal to stop, not to push through.

Family events, weddings and church gatherings often mean long standing, dancing and sitting on low seats. Plan these for a time when the joint feels stable, bring a comfortable chair if possible, and take short breaks. Telling relatives in advance about your plan usually makes it easier to ask for help.

Who may be a candidate and who should wait

In general terms, the people who ask about SVF for osteoarthritis are adults with long-standing joint pain who want to delay surgery and whose imaging shows an early stage. Those with advanced damage are usually told that surgery is the realistic route. A frank answer on this point is a sign of a careful consultation.

Some situations call for caution and a medical review before any procedure: active infection, a hot red swollen joint, uncontrolled chronic illness, blood-clotting problems or medicines that thin the blood, pregnancy and unclear joint pain that has not been diagnosed. Gout, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory causes also need their own treatment first.

Bring everything you have: previous X-rays or MRI results, blood tests, a list of medicines and notes from earlier treatment. If you do not have imaging, the coordinator will explain which studies are usually needed so that the specialist can decide properly.

How the free online consultation works from Uyo

You can begin without leaving Uyo. The consultation with City Medical Centre is online and free. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can write after work, in the evening or at night, whichever suits you.

Send a short description, photos of your reports and imaging, and your questions. The coordinator will organise a conversation with the specialist, who will review the stage of osteoarthritis, discuss whether SVF therapy may be considered and describe a follow-up plan. A stable mobile connection is enough; if the signal is weak at home, choose a quieter place or send written messages first.

Write your questions down before the call. Useful ones include: which stage do my images show, is this method suitable for me, what are the alternatives, what will I do at home and for how long, which signs mean I must contact you at once, and how will my progress be reviewed in the months ahead.

Is osteoarthritis the same as arthritis?

No. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints with pain at rest and at night, morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes, swelling, redness and warmth. Causes include autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, infections, gout and psoriasis. Osteoarthritis is a chronic, wear-related condition. The two are treated differently, so a proper examination matters.

How much tissue is taken for SVF therapy?

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 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 procedure enough?

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

Can SVF help at any 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.

Does the hot, humid weather of Uyo affect recovery?

Yes, in general ways. With temperatures from 21 °C (70 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F) and humidity from 67 to 88%, keep the puncture areas clean and dry, wear light cotton clothing, rest with the leg raised if swollen and avoid pools or sea water until the specialist allows it.

Can I keep working while planning treatment?

Often yes, but it depends on your job. Office and school work usually differs from heavy lifting or long standing. Describe your tasks to the specialist and ask for a written return-to-work plan.

Does my diet matter?

It does. Extra weight loads the knees and hips. The World Health Organization treats obesity and overweight as a significant health issue, so gradual changes in portions, frying and sugary drinks support any joint treatment.

How do I start the consultation from Uyo?

Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any time, 24/7. Send your imaging, reports and questions, and an online consultation with a specialist is arranged free of charge.