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

Arthrosis Treatment in Yola Without Surgery

SVF cells and platelet-rich plasma for joints worn by arthrosis — knee, hip and others. Stage checked through a free review of your X-rays or MRI

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 (arthrosis) is a long-term condition where the cartilage covering a joint slowly thins and wears down. Because cartilage cushions the joint, its loss lets the bones grind against one another, bringing pain, stiffness and reduced movement. The disease is degenerative, not inflammatory, though swollen flare-ups can occur.

  • 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: flu or a cold, fever, or skin inflammation over the joint being 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

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 PRP2

Blood sample for PRP

The nurse takes a little blood from a vein. Platelet-rich plasma with growth factors is prepared from this blood 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

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

With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.

Follow-up6

Follow-up

No crutches are needed and there is no hospital stay. The doctor keeps in touch after the procedure to see 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

No donor or synthetic material: we use only your own blood and adipose tissue

Cell therapy (SVF) from your own adipose tissue

SVF — the stromal vascular fraction — is a mixture of repair-related cells isolated from a small sample of your own adipose tissue. It is injected into the affected joint together with your plasma.

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

The typical indication is early or moderate osteoarthritis: the aim is slower cartilage wear and less 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

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.

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

Commonly used for mild osteoarthritis — and together with SVF when you need a stronger effect.

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

Both large and small joints — after reviewing your scans, the doctor selects the joint, the method and how many injections you need

  • KneeKneeCartilage wearing down, meniscus problems, pain on stairs and after a walk
  • HipHipEarly hip osteoarthritis, groin pain, limited rotation
  • ShoulderShoulderPain when raising the arm, wear of the joint and surrounding tendons
  • ElbowElbowPain linked to overuse or sports strain and worn joint surfaces
  • Hand and wrist jointsHand and wrist jointsStiffness and aching in the fingers' and wrist's small joints
  • AnkleAnklePain and stiffness after sprains and old injuries

Advantages

Why patients choose City Medical Centre

Rather than replacing the joint, we work to preserve it — the treatment involves no surgery

Your own tissue

Your own tissue

No donor or synthetic material: we use only your own blood and adipose tissue

No crutches

No crutches

Only punctures, no incisions — under local anaesthetic and without a long rehabilitation

Second opinion

Second opinion

Free of charge, a doctor gives an independent assessment of the X-rays, MRI or reports you send

Support after the procedure

Support after the procedure

We stay in touch after the procedure and follow the result, not just 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

The stage of osteoarthritis, the joint and the method all affect the cost, so it is named after the consultation

FAQ

Joint treatment: frequently asked questions

About the conditions

More about these conditions

Other services of our clinic

Osteoarthritis in Yola: stages, methods and price

An X-ray shows the stage of osteoarthritis, MRI gives a detailed view of cartilage and soft tissues, and ultrasound shows inflammation and fluid. Patients from Yola who already have results can send them before the visit.

Follow-up visits let the doctor see how the joint responds. In Yola, check-ups after one, three and six months help adjust the plan and decide whether a repeat course is needed.

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 Yola, the first consultation and review of your scans are free. Leave your name and phone number to book.

Osteoarthritis treatment for residents of Yola: where to start

Yola is the capital and administrative centre of Adamawa State, Nigeria, and sits on the Benue River. Its name comes from the Fulfulde word for a great, vast plain, and the wide, open landscape shapes how people move through the day. The city has a population of over 392,854 as of 2006. Many residents spend long hours on their feet, in markets, offices, schools, workshops and on the road, and that is often when joint pain first becomes impossible to ignore.

City Medical Centre works with patients in Yola through a free online consultation. You do not need to leave your home or your work to start. Coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and Telegram, so you can send a message in the evening after work or at night when pain keeps you awake. You can describe your symptoms, share earlier scans or reports, and ask what a realistic plan might look like.

This text is general information and does not replace an examination. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. The aim of the first conversation is to understand which joint is affected, how long it has troubled you, what you have already tried, and whether a regenerative approach such as SVF therapy is worth discussing in your case.

Climate in Yola and what it means for joints and recovery

Yola has a tropical savanna climate that borders on a hot semi-arid climate, with a clear dry season and a wet season. It is warm all year. March has the highest average high, 42.8 °C, and April has the highest average low, 27.0 °C. The hottest weeks come just before the rains. August and September have the lowest average high, 31.3 °C, and December has the lowest average low, 16.9 °C. Many people with osteoarthritis say their joints feel different in cool, damp or very hot weather, so it helps to notice your own pattern and mention it to the doctor.

Yola receives 872.4 mm of rain a year. The wet season runs from May to October, and August is the wettest month. Humidity can be high from July to September. Wet ground, muddy lanes and slippery floors matter for anyone with a painful knee or hip. A fall during recovery is an avoidable setback, so footwear with a firm grip and a clear path at home deserve attention.

The dry season brings low humidity, dropping to just 13.5% in February, and the daytime heat is strong. Dry air and heat increase fluid loss, so drinking enough water is a sensible habit while the body recovers. Yola receives 2,845.5 hours of sunshine a year, with November the sunniest month. After a procedure that uses a small puncture site, you will be asked to protect the area from sweat, dust and direct sun until it has healed. Light, loose cotton clothing is usually the most comfortable choice in this climate.

How SVF therapy is explained to patients from Yola

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. For a patient in Yola, the practical meaning is that this is a small procedure and not a major operation. Even so, the surgeon will explain exactly what is planned and why, and you are free to ask every question that matters to you.

The timeline is the most common point of confusion. 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. This means the first weeks are not the moment to judge the outcome, and the hot March and April period, when everyone is tired, is not a reason to decide too early that nothing is happening.

Because osteoarthritis is chronic, the coordinators will describe the treatment as one part of a longer plan: weight management where relevant, suitable exercise, footwear, and regular review of symptoms. WHO treats excess weight as an important health issue, and extra body weight is a recognised load on weight-bearing joints. A good consultation therefore covers daily habits as well as the procedure itself.

Arthritis or osteoarthritis: understanding your symptoms

People in Yola often use the word arthritis for any joint pain, but doctors separate several conditions. 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, by contrast, is usually a wear-related condition that is felt mostly with movement and improves with rest.

This difference matters because the treatment path is not the same. If your joint is hot, red and swollen, or if you have stiffness every morning that takes a long time to ease, the doctor will want to look for an inflammatory cause first. Describing the pattern clearly saves time: which joint, which side, when the pain is worst, and whether it wakes you at night.

For the online consultation, it helps to write a short timeline before you message the coordinators. Note when the pain started, what makes it better or worse, and which medicines or home measures you have used. Photos of swelling and any earlier X-ray or blood test reports are useful. Clinical guidance such as NICE guideline NG226 on osteoarthritis in people over 16 stresses proper diagnosis and ongoing management, and that is the spirit in which your case will be reviewed.

Early and late stages: who may be a candidate

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. This is a general statement, and only a specialist who has seen your imaging can tell you which stage applies to you. For this reason, patients from Yola are asked to send their scans rather than rely on a description of pain alone.

Candidates are generally people with a confirmed diagnosis, symptoms that affect work or daily life, and a willingness to follow a long-term plan. A procedure is not a replacement for medical review of other conditions. Active infection, an unexplained inflammatory flare, certain blood disorders, or a serious uncontrolled illness are examples of situations in which the doctor may advise waiting or choosing a different path. These are general principles and not a personal verdict.

If the joint is already badly damaged, the honest answer may be that surgery is the realistic option. A responsible consultation includes that possibility. Hearing it early lets you plan your work, family responsibilities and finances without raising false hopes, which is far better than discovering it months later.

Choosing the season in Yola

There is no single correct month, but the climate gives some practical guidance. The weeks of extreme heat before the rains, with March and April at the top of the temperature range, are tiring for anyone who is healing, and sweating can irritate a small wound. The wet season from May to October brings slippery ground and humidity, particularly from July to September, which is a different kind of inconvenience.

Many people find the cooler end of the dry season, or the early part of it when the sun is strong but humidity is low, easier to manage. November is the sunniest month, and December has the lowest average low, so evenings can be more comfortable for rest. Your own calendar still matters more than the weather: pick a time when you can rest for the first days without pressure from work or major events.

Plan around family events too. Weddings, naming ceremonies, Sallah gatherings and long periods of standing, dancing or carrying are common in Nigerian family life. Avoid scheduling the procedure immediately before such a day. Tell the coordinator about your upcoming commitments and ask the surgeon what level of activity is reasonable in the first days after the procedure.

Daily life, work and sport after the procedure

Yola is a city of administration, trade and study. Jimeta, the new city about 5 km to the north-west of the old town, is the administrative and commercial centre, while the old town is where the Lamido of Adamawa resides. Residents who work in offices, shops, schools or on the move between the two parts of the city should ask the surgeon how soon they can sit, stand and commute comfortably. Motorcycles and shared transport mean climbing on and off vehicles, which loads the knee and hip, so discuss this specifically.

Return to work depends on the job. A desk worker and a trader who stands all day will receive different advice. Do not promise yourself a date before the doctor has examined your case. Ask which movements to avoid at first, when you can lift loads, and when you can start gentle exercise. The surgeon will also explain whether compression garments or any special supports are needed in your situation.

Sport and exercise matter in the long term because muscles that support the joint protect it. Walking in the cooler hours of the day is often more pleasant than in the midday heat. Swimming is popular, but ask the doctor before using a river, a pool or any open water, as the puncture site must be fully healed first. Do not rush back to football or heavy training because you feel better in the first weeks.

Food, weight and everyday habits in Yola

Food is a large part of social life in Yola. Shared meals, hospitality and festive dishes are natural parts of family life, and nobody needs to give them up. What helps joints is balance: regular meals, plenty of vegetables, beans, grains and fish where available, and enough water in the dry heat. The coordinator can talk about food in a practical way, without lecturing.

Body weight deserves an open conversation. WHO describes overweight and obesity as significant health issues, and extra weight adds load to the knees and hips. Even modest, steady changes can ease the strain on the joint. This is general advice, not a personal prescription, and the doctor will tell you whether weight is relevant in your case.

Gout is one of the causes of joint inflammation, so patients with sudden, severe pain in a single joint, particularly a big toe, should mention diet and any history of high uric acid. Heavy alcohol and certain foods can trigger flares in some people. Keep a short diary of pain and meals for a few weeks; it often shows patterns that you can discuss during the online consultation.

How the remote consultation works from Yola

The first step is a message to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram. They are available around the clock, so you can write when it suits you. You will be asked which joint hurts, how long, what treatment you have had, and about other illnesses and medicines. Scans, reports and clear photos help the specialist form a preliminary view.

The consultation is free and online. If you have a patchy connection, which can happen anywhere, send documents as photos in advance and agree on a convenient way to continue the conversation. A relative can join the chat if you want support or need help with explaining details.

After the specialist reviews your materials, you receive an explanation of whether SVF therapy may be considered, what the procedure involves, what the recovery looks like, and which questions remain open. You decide at your own pace. Asking for clarification, for a second opinion or for more time is a normal part of the process.

Questions to ask the surgeon

Prepare your questions before the consultation. Ask which stage of osteoarthritis the imaging shows and whether your case is early enough for SVF therapy to be considered. Ask what the procedure involves in your situation, where the tissue would be taken from, and what you should expect in the first days.

Ask what the realistic timeline is. Many patients notice the first changes 2–3 weeks after the procedure, and a stable result forms over about six months, with duration varying from several months to several years. Ask what you should do if you feel nothing in the first weeks, and what follow-up the plan includes.

Finally, ask about daily life in Yola: when you can return to work, how to cope with the dry-season heat and the wet-season humidity during recovery, what footwear and clothing are suitable, and when exercise can restart. Ask what symptoms would require you to contact the coordinators urgently. Write the answers down so that family members can also follow the plan.

Can I have the first consultation from Yola without leaving home?

Yes. The consultation is free and online. You write to the coordinators on Telegram or Telegram, share your scans and description of symptoms, and receive a preliminary assessment from a specialist.

When can I contact the coordinators?

Coordinators are available 24/7 on Telegram and Telegram, so you can write in the evening, at night or on a day off, whichever is convenient for you.

How is the procedure carried out?

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 surgeon will explain the details for your case.

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 for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is chronic, so it needs an ongoing plan rather than a single injection. The plan usually includes exercise, weight management where relevant and regular review of symptoms.

Who may be considered for SVF therapy?

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. Only a specialist who has seen your imaging can say which stage applies.

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 make the diagnosis.

Which season in Yola is more comfortable for recovery?

The heat of March and April, before the rains, can be tiring, and the humid weeks from July to September bring slippery ground. Many people prefer the drier, less humid part of the year, but your work and family calendar matters just as much. Discuss the timing with the surgeon.

How should I protect the puncture site in the Yola climate?

Keep it clean and dry, avoid dust and strong sun, and wear loose cotton clothing. Ask the surgeon when you may use a pool or open water and when you can resume sport.

Which guidelines are used as a reference for osteoarthritis care?

The NICE guideline Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226) is one reference that emphasises proper diagnosis and long-term management, and it is a useful background for your questions.