Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment in Zagreb
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
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.
Weight-bearing joints suffer most: the knee (gonarthrosis), the hip (coxarthrosis), and also the ankle and small hand joints. Results are strongest at early and moderate stages, before heavy damage to the joint surfaces. When the stage is advanced, the doctor will honestly explain if joint replacement is the more realistic option.
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
Overuse or sports strain causing pain; worn joint surfaces
Hand and wrist joints
Stiffness and pain in the small joints of the fingers and wrist
Knee
Cartilage wear with meniscus trouble and pain on stairs or after walking
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
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.
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
Platelet- and growth-factor-rich plasma is separated from a small amount of your blood and then injected into the joint, helping to calm inflammation and create better conditions for tissue repair.
Used often in mild osteoarthritis, it is added to SVF when a more pronounced effect is required.
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
From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken — it will later be used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are 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
With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.
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.
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
From a vein, a small amount of blood is taken — it will later be used to prepare platelet-rich plasma with growth factors.
The doctor tells you in advance which tests are needed.
Adipose tissue sample
Roughly 30 ml of adipose tissue is taken through a puncture on the inner thigh or abdomen under local anaesthetic. No stitches are 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
With ultrasound guiding the needle, the prepared material is injected directly into the affected joint and placed precisely.
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.
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
Whether the treatment suits you is decided by a doctor after an examination and a review of your scans
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: flu or a cold, fever, or skin inflammation over the joint being 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 leave on the day of the procedure and get back to daily routines within a day or two, with small dressings covering the puncture sites. A little extra aching in the first week is an expected reaction. The pain usually eases over the first month; mobility and activity improve over about three months; the full effect develops over around six months. How long it lasts is individual, shaped by the stage, body weight, activity and other factors — nobody can promise a fixed result. A healthy weight and regular joint-friendly exercise help the result last longer.
Why patients choose City Medical Centre
We work to keep the joint you have instead of replacing it, using treatment without surgery
Your own tissue
Just your blood and your adipose tissue — no synthetic material and nothing from donors
No crutches
Punctures, not incisions; local anaesthetic; no prolonged rehabilitation
Second opinion
Send your reports, X-rays or MRI, and a doctor will independently assess them free of charge
Support after the procedure
We follow the result and keep in touch after the procedure, not only on the day of the injection
Osteoarthritis treatment prices
The doctor quotes the cost after the consultation, as it depends on the joint, the method and the stage of osteoarthritis
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?
Put simply, the cartilage covering the bone ends in a joint wears down over time. Thin cartilage no longer cushions the joint, so the bones rub, causing pain, stiffness and crunching. It is a degenerative condition rather than an inflammatory one.
Can hip osteoarthritis be treated without surgery?
Many times, yes — when treatment is started without delay. SVF and PRP injections work to ease pain and support the cartilage without any operation; only a destroyed joint calls for replacement, the last option.
How soon will I notice a result?
Early changes are noticed by many patients 2–3 weeks after the procedure. The result stabilises over about six months and can last several months to several years, depending on the individual. Osteoarthritis being chronic, it requires an ongoing plan, not a one-off 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?
The most heavily loaded joints: the knees, hips and ankles, plus the small joints of the hand and the spine. Regenerative treatment is used for all of them.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
As a rule it progresses, so pain becomes constant, movement more limited, the joint may deform and walking can be hard. Early diagnosis, weight control, exercise and working with your doctor make a real difference.
Which tests and scans are needed?
The main tool is an X-ray, showing the stage. For detail on cartilage and soft tissues there is MRI; ultrasound reveals inflammation and fluid in the joint; blood tests help rule out inflammatory conditions. The doctor can look at results you already have free of charge.
How is osteoarthritis different from arthritis?
The difference: osteoarthritis is wear of the cartilage (aching pain on movement, crunching, stiffness after rest), while arthritis is inflammation (pain at rest and at night, swelling, redness, warmth over the joint). Treatment differs, which is why diagnosis comes first.
Can I get a consultation about my case?
Yes, you can. Send the X-rays, MRI or test results; a doctor will review them free of charge, assess the osteoarthritis stage and recommend a non-surgical plan if suitable.
Can I exercise with osteoarthritis?
It is not only possible but advisable. Proper activity strengthens the muscles that unload the joint, improves cartilage nutrition and maintains your mobility. Swimming, water aerobics, cycling, Nordic walking and yoga are good choices; running on hard surfaces, jumps, heavy lifting and sudden movements are to be avoided.
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Osteoarthritis in Zagreb: stages, methods and price
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 Zagreb.
During the first week the joint may ache a little more — this is an expected reaction. Pain usually eases over the first month, and mobility improves over about three months. Patients from Zagreb go home the same day.
How much does arthrosis treatment cost in Zagreb? The doctor names the price after assessing the stage from your X-ray or MRI and choosing PRP, SVF or a combination. Send a request or message us in any messenger.
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