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Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Welkom

Knee, hip or another joint affected by arthrosis? SVF cell therapy and PRP, with a no-cost look at your X-rays or MRI to define 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)?

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.

  • 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

Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of 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: a fever, a cold or flu, or skin inflammation over the joint 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 small blood sample is taken from a vein, and platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is later made from it.

Adipose tissue sample3

Adipose tissue sample

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.

Processing in a centrifuge4

Processing in a centrifuge

After spinning in a centrifuge, the sample forms layers. The stromal vascular fraction is isolated from them and mixed with the platelet-rich plasma.

Injection into the joint5

Injection into the joint

The prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint under ultrasound guidance, which helps place it precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

There are no crutches and no hospital stay. After the procedure the doctor keeps in touch 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

Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials used — nothing donor or synthetic

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.

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

Early and moderate osteoarthritis is where it is mostly used — to slow cartilage wear and reduce friction between the surfaces of the joint.

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

Plasma rich in platelets and growth factors is separated from a small amount of your blood and injected into the joint. It helps calm inflammation and creates better conditions for tissue repair.

A doctor explains PRP therapy for joints to a patient on a monitor

It is often used for mild osteoarthritis, and together with SVF when a stronger effect is needed.

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

Large and small joints — the doctor chooses the joint, the method and the number of injections after reviewing your scans

  • KneeKneeMeniscus issues, wearing cartilage, stairs and walking bring pain
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderWorn joint and surrounding tendons, with pain when the arm is raised
  • ElbowElbowPain from overuse or sports load, with worn 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

Your own joint is kept, not replaced — we treat without surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

Your own blood and adipose tissue are the only materials used — nothing donor or synthetic

No crutches

No crutches

No long rehabilitation: local anaesthetic and punctures instead of incisions

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

Our care goes beyond the day of the injection: we keep in touch and follow the 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

The doctor quotes the cost after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Everything about arthrosis treatment in Welkom

For patients from Welkom, the aim is to keep your own joint as long as possible. The milder the stage, the faster and longer-lasting the effect usually is, and it may reduce the need for regular hyaluronic acid injections.

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 Welkom, it is done in one day.

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

Osteoarthritis and everyday life in Welkom

Welkom is a city in the Free State province of South Africa, about 140 kilometres (90 mi) northeast of Bloemfontein, the provincial capital. It was laid out on a farm of the same name after gold was discovered in the region and was officially proclaimed a town in 1948. It is also known as Circle City and City Within A Garden. For people living with osteoarthritis here, joint pain is rarely an abstract medical topic. It decides whether a person can walk through a garden, stand through a shift, climb into a vehicle or sit through a family gathering in comfort.

According to the 2011 census, Welkom proper had a population of 64,130 people. The city sits within the Matjhabeng Municipality, part of the Lejweleputswa District. In a place of this kind many people know someone with painful knees, hips or hands, and advice circulates freely among neighbours and colleagues. Some of it is useful and some is not, which is why a structured medical opinion matters.

Osteoarthritis is chronic. That single fact shapes what a patient in Welkom should expect from treatment: it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. A sensible plan combines a clear diagnosis, regular review, careful loading of the joint, weight management where relevant and, when appropriate, regenerative options such as SVF therapy.

City Medical Centre works with patients in Welkom through a free online consultation. Coordinators are available around the clock (24/7) on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send your questions after a night shift or at the weekend without first arranging time off.

The mining history of the city and what it means for joints

Matjhabeng, the Sesotho name of the municipality, means 'where nations meet'. It comes from the migrant labour system of the gold fields, in which people from Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique and elsewhere met to work in the mines. That history means many families in and around Welkom carry a long working memory of heavy, repetitive physical labour, and many people ask whether years of such work are connected with their knee, hip or hand pain.

In general terms, long periods of heavy loading, kneeling, lifting and standing can be part of the picture of joint wear, together with age, previous injuries, body weight and family history. No single factor explains every case. A specialist who reviews your imaging and history is the right person to say how much of your pain comes from cartilage wear and how much from something else.

If you worked physically for many years, tell the specialist exactly what the work involved: which joints took the load, whether there were injuries, and how the pain has changed over time. This is some of the most useful information you can bring to an online consultation, and it costs nothing to prepare.

Candidates for regenerative treatment are assessed individually. In general terms, people with active infection, untreated inflammatory disease or serious unstable illness need further assessment first, and the specialist will explain whether treatment is sensible in your situation.

Osteoarthritis or arthritis: telling them apart

Patients in Welkom often use the two words as if they meant the same thing, but the difference matters. 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 usually a wear-related, chronic condition, and the treatment logic is different. If your joint is hot, red and swollen, or you wake at night with pain, say so clearly at the start of the consultation. Inflammatory causes need their own investigation and treatment before any regenerative approach is discussed.

Guidance such as NICE, Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226), is a useful reference point for what a structured assessment and management plan should include. You can ask the specialist how the proposed plan compares with that kind of guidance and what it leaves to your own doctor.

A good first conversation therefore covers symptoms, the pattern of pain through the day, previous tests and treatments, and what you hope to be able to do again. Write these points down before you message the coordinators.

Climate in Welkom and its effect on recovery

Welkom normally receives about 401 mm to 550 mm of rain per year, depending on wet or dry cycles, with most rain in mid-summer. July is the driest month, with 0 mm, and January the wettest, with 70 mm. Average daily maximum temperatures range from 17 °C in June to 29 °C in January. July is the coldest month, when night temperatures drop to 0 °C on average.

Cold winter mornings are a practical point for people with joint disease. Many patients feel stiffer after a cold night, so a warm-up, layered clothing and gentle movement before the day starts are sensible habits, and they matter during recovery too. Keep the knees, hips or hands you are treating warm and protected in the cold months.

In the warm months around January, the focus shifts to keeping the small puncture area on the abdomen or inner thigh out of long direct sun, staying hydrated and choosing loose, breathable clothing. Dust and heat can irritate a fresh wound, so keep the area clean and covered as instructed.

Heavy rain in mid-summer can make surfaces slippery. In the first days after a procedure a fall is the last thing a sensitive joint needs, so plan safe footwear and a clear path at home. Ask the specialist about the best season for you, bearing in mind that a stable result takes about six months to form.

Understanding the procedure: 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. For most people this is a short and manageable step, and the sample is the starting point for the regenerative preparation that is then used for the joint.

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. That is why the stage of your osteoarthritis, confirmed by imaging, is the first thing the specialist will want to understand.

It is worth asking the surgeon plainly: what stage do my scans show, what is the realistic aim of treatment in my case, and what happens if the joint does not respond as hoped? An honest answer to the last question is a sign of a careful specialist.

Also ask how the treatment fits with what you already do, such as physiotherapy, exercise, medicines and weight management, because regenerative treatment works best as one part of a wider plan.

Timing, results 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. Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the outcome is not a cure but part of a long-term plan.

For someone in Welkom, this timeline suggests planning around the half-year rather than the first fortnight. If you hope to be comfortable for a particular occasion, such as a family event, a sports season or a busy work period, build in months of margin rather than weeks.

Keep a simple diary: pain on waking, pain after walking, morning stiffness and the use of any painkillers. Brought to follow-up conversations, it gives the specialist more reliable information than memory alone and helps decide when a repeat review is sensible.

Expect the pattern to vary. Some people notice a clear improvement, others a modest one, and the duration differs from person to person. Agree in advance what a good result would look like for you, in everyday terms such as walking to the shops or standing through a working day.

Sport, work and study in Welkom

Sport is part of the identity of the city. Welkom's most notable sports feature is the Phakisa Freeway, an international standard motor sport facility between Welkom and Odendaalsrus that opened in 1999 and hosted MotoGP's South African motorcycle Grand Prix from 1999 to 2004. The city has also produced Springbok rugby players, cricketers and athletes, and local venues include North West Stadium and Zuka Baloyi Stadium. For recreational players and supporters, the usual question is how soon they can return to the field or the stands.

Do not set a return date for sport yourself. Ask the specialist for a staged plan: gentle walking first, then low-impact activity, then sport-specific loading, adjusted to your joint and your stage of disease. Rugby, running and sudden twisting movements are the activities to discuss most carefully. Pool and sea-type activities should also be cleared with the specialist before you resume them after the puncture.

Welkom also has tertiary institutions such as Welkom Technical College, FET College Goldfields and a satellite campus of the Central University of Technology. Students and staff with joint pain can usually plan treatment for a quieter period of the academic calendar. Desk and lecture-hall work is often easier to resume than standing or physical work, which should be discussed individually.

People who work in physical jobs linked to the region's mining and farming economy should ask for specific guidance on lifting, kneeling and prolonged standing, and on how to share the plan with an employer if lighter duties are needed for a time.

Food, weight and joints

The Welkom region is part of the Maize Triangle and is a major producer of sunflowers, poultry and beef cattle. Local food culture therefore leans on maize, meat and family gatherings around shared meals. Nothing needs to be given up entirely, but body weight is a real factor in the load on the knees and hips, and the WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight is a reliable general reference on why weight matters for health.

A realistic approach is small, steady changes: smaller portions at big family meals, more vegetables, fewer sugary drinks, and regular walking within your comfort limits. Discuss with your doctor which changes are worth prioritising for your joint, and avoid crash diets that leave you weak and less able to exercise.

After the procedure, a balanced diet and adequate fluids support general recovery. Ask the specialist whether any of your regular medicines, including anti-inflammatory painkillers, should be adjusted around the procedure, and do not change prescribed medicines on your own.

Family occasions and shared meals are also a good moment to ask relatives for practical help: carrying, cooking or driving during the first days of recovery.

How the remote consultation from Welkom works

The first step is free and online. You contact the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any time, 24/7, and describe your symptoms, how long they have lasted and which joints are affected. You then send existing X-rays, MRI reports and blood test results, if you have them.

The specialist reviews the material, asks follow-up questions and explains whether SVF therapy may be suitable at your stage or whether other options, including surgery, should be considered. People with active inflammatory arthritis, infection or complex medical conditions need extra assessment first, and the specialist will say so if this applies.

Welkom has public and private hospitals as well as primary care clinics, and your own doctor remains important for routine follow-up, blood tests and general care. Share the plan with them so that everyone involved in your health works from the same information.

Before the call, prepare a short list: your questions, your medicines, past operations and allergies, and the activities that matter most to you. This makes the consultation shorter and far more useful.

Is SVF therapy suitable for every stage of osteoarthritis?

No. 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. Your scans and the specialist's review decide.

How is the tissue taken?

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.

How long does the result last?

It 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.

How do I tell arthritis 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. A doctor must confirm which one you have.

Does the cold Welkom winter make joint pain worse?

Many people feel stiffer after cold nights. July is the coldest month, with night temperatures dropping to 0 °C on average. Warm layers and gentle movement in the morning help, and the same habits support recovery.

Can I plan the procedure around sport or work?

Yes, but plan in months, not weeks, because a stable result forms over about six months. Ask for a staged return plan for your sport or job, especially if you play rugby or do physical work.

Do years of mine or farm work cause osteoarthritis?

Heavy loading can be one factor among several, together with age, injuries, body weight and family history. Describe your work history to the specialist so that your case is assessed individually.

Does my weight matter?

Body weight affects the load on weight-bearing joints. The WHO fact sheet on obesity and overweight explains the general health context. Discuss realistic steps with your doctor.

How do I start a consultation from Welkom?

Write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram at any time, 24/7. The online consultation is free, and you can send your scans and reports there.

What should I ask the surgeon?

Ask which stage your scans show, what the realistic aim is, what the alternatives are, what to do if the response is limited, and how to build a long-term plan with your own doctor.