SVF Therapy - Specialists and Information

SVF therapy is a newer treatment method for people with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis causes damage to the thin layer of articular cartilage in large joints such as:

• knee
• hip joint, and
• shoulder

Damage to the articular cartilage can result from various causes, such as:

• Excessive strain
• Accidents or
• Increased friction due to joint misalignment

People with advanced osteoarthritis no longer have intact joint cartilage in the late stages of the disease. The joint surfaces rub directly against each other, leading to inflammation in the joint and surrounding tissues and causing severe pain.

Osteoarthritis pain typically begins as start-up pain. Those affected always need a moment to get moving before the pain subsides. As osteoarthritis progresses, the pain becomes constant and leads to significant limitations in movement.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that can cause severe pain @ Graphicroyalty /AdobeStock

SVF therapy is a regenerative procedure designed to repair osteoarthritis-related damage to joint cartilage using stem cells derived from the body’s own adipose tissue. 

The stromal-vascular fraction (SVF), which is derived from adipose tissue, contains a variety of regenerative and anti-inflammatory cells, including mesenchymal stem cells.

When injected into the joint, the stem cells promote tissue regeneration and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

SVF therapy is suitable for people with joint cartilage damage in large joints (hip, knee, and shoulder). These individuals typically suffer from pain and limited mobility.

SVF therapy has anti-inflammatory, regenerative, and pain-relieving effects and may even eliminate the need for joint replacement surgery. Since the stromal-vesicular fractions are the body’s own material, SVF therapy is considered to have few side effects.

At the start of SVF therapy, doctors extract a small amount of the patient’s own adipose tissue. The patient receives a local anesthetic. SVF therapy specialists typically prefer to use fat from the abdominal or thigh area.

A centrifuge then processes the fat tissue to isolate the SVF fraction. Doctors inject the extracted fraction directly into the affected joint. Subsequently, SVF therapy specialists administer platelet-rich plasma, which provides important growth factors.

The entire procedure takes about an hour—usually less. Often, only one treatment is necessary, but it can be repeated depending on the severity of the osteoarthritis. How long does the effect of SVF therapy last? How long the treatment remains effective depends on a variety of individual factors. In general, the full effect of SVF therapy sets in about 1–3 months after treatment.

The success rate of the therapy is 70 percent. This is a very high success rate for a conservative treatment. It can also be assumed that the effects of SVF therapy can last for years. Regular booster treatments with platelet-rich plasma extend the duration of the effects.

Joint disorders such as osteoarthritis fall within the field of orthopedics and joint surgery. Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells for joint cartilage regeneration requires a great deal of experience. For this reason, SVF therapy specialists typically work at larger specialized centers.

Above, you will find a selection of SVF therapy specialists and centers of excellence in Germany that offer joint cartilage regeneration via stem cell injection.