Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Vilnius
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 this chronic disease — osteoarthritis, or arthrosis — joint cartilage is gradually worn thin. Losing the cartilage cushion lets bone rub against bone, which brings pain, stiffness and a smaller range of motion. It is classed as degenerative, not inflammatory, even though swelling may come with flare-ups.
Most often it hits the most heavily loaded joints — knee (gonarthrosis) and hip (coxarthrosis) — along with the ankle and the small hand joints. Early and moderate stages respond best, before serious damage to the joint surfaces; at an advanced stage the doctor will be honest with you if replacing the joint is the more realistic path.
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 — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans
Elbow
Pain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Finger and wrist small joints affected by pain and stiffness
Knee
Worn cartilage and meniscus problems; pain after walking and on the stairs
Hip
Early hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
Ankle
Pain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries
Shoulder
Joint and tendon wear around it, pain on lifting the arm
Methods we use
Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue
Processing a small portion of your adipose tissue yields the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a cell mix involved in tissue repair. The doctor combines it with your own plasma and injects it into the affected joint.
Early and moderate osteoarthritis is where it is mostly used — to slow cartilage wear and reduce friction between the surfaces of the joint.
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.
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
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 PRP
A small blood sample is taken from a vein, and platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later made 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
Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.
Follow-up
You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact afterwards and monitors the joint's response.
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 PRP
A small blood sample is taken from a vein, and platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later made 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
Layers form as the sample is spun in a centrifuge. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated and blended with the platelet-rich plasma.
The whole procedure is done in one day.
Injection into the joint
With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.
Follow-up
You need neither crutches nor a hospital stay. The doctor stays in contact afterwards and monitors the joint's response.
Follow-up visits
At follow-up visits the doctor checks how the joint is responding and adjusts the plan. Pain usually eases 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, cold or flu, and inflamed skin over the joint that will 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 return home the same day, with small dressings on the puncture sites, and resume normal daily activity within a day or two. During the first week a little more joint ache is an expected reaction. Over the first month pain usually eases, over about three months mobility and activity improve, and the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts depends on the person, the stage of the condition, body weight, activity and other factors; no one can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular exercise that is kind to the joints help the result last longer.
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
Nothing synthetic, nothing from donors — only your own blood and adipose tissue are used
No crutches
Local anaesthetic, punctures rather than incisions, and no long rehabilitation
Second opinion
Get a free, independent doctor's assessment of your X-rays, MRI or reports — simply send them over
Support after the procedure
We keep in contact after the procedure and monitor the result, rather than stopping on the day of the injection
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method all affect the cost, so it is named 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?
The cartilage that covers the bone ends in a joint slowly wears away. Once it thins, cushioning is lost, bone rubs on bone and pain, stiffness and crunching appear. This is a degenerative condition, not an inflammatory one.
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 people notice early changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure, while a stable result forms over about six months and lasts from several months to several years depending on the person. Osteoarthritis is chronic, so an ongoing plan is needed rather than one injection.
At which stage does the treatment work best?
At early and moderate stages. The milder the stage, the quicker and more lasting the effect tends to be, and it may reduce how often hyaluronic acid injections are needed. At the most advanced stage, when the joint space has nearly gone, a lasting effect should not be expected.
Which joints are most often affected?
Mostly the heavily loaded knees, hips and ankles, along with the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for all these joints.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
It usually moves forward: the pain stops going away, movement is more and more limited, the joint may deform and walking may get difficult. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and a doctor's involvement make a real difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
The stage is shown by an X-ray, the main method. MRI gives a close look at the cartilage and soft tissues, ultrasound detects inflammation and fluid in the joint, and blood tests help exclude inflammatory conditions. Already have results? The doctor reviews them free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage: aching pain on movement, crunching, stiffness after rest. Arthritis is inflammation: pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness and warmth over the joint. The approach to treatment differs, so the diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes. Send your X-rays, MRI or test results, and a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the stage of osteoarthritis and suggest a non-surgical plan if it is appropriate.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
You can and should. Appropriate activity strengthens the supporting muscles that unload the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and keeps mobility. Good options: swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking, yoga. Avoid: running on hard surfaces, jumping, heavy lifting, sudden movements.
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About osteoarthritis treatment for patients from Vilnius
Osteoarthritis is not the same as arthritis. Arthrosis is wear of the cartilage; arthritis is inflammation with pain at rest, swelling and warmth. The approach differs, so the diagnosis comes first for everyone in Vilnius.
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 Vilnius, it is done in one day.
The cost of osteoarthritis treatment depends on the joint, the stage and the method, so the price is set at the consultation. For patients from Vilnius, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.
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