Cortisone injections are one of the most commonly recommended treatments for joint pain in Australia. They work for many people, at least initially. But if you’ve had one — or several — and you’re asking yourself what happens next, you’re not alone.
The reality is that cortisone addresses inflammation in the short term. It doesn’t repair the joint, slow cartilage breakdown, or address the underlying biology of osteoarthritis. For many people, the relief is temporary, and repeat injections carry their own risks over time.
So what are your options if you’re looking for something that works differently?
The gap between cortisone and surgery
For people with osteoarthritis or chronic joint pain, the conventional path tends to look like this: anti-inflammatories, then cortisone injections, then — when those stop working — joint replacement surgery.
That gap between cortisone and surgery can span years, and for many patients it’s a period of managed discomfort rather than genuine treatment. There’s increasing interest — both from patients and clinicians — in biological approaches that might sit in that gap and do more than manage symptoms.
What is autologous cell therapy?
Autologous cell therapy uses cells from your own body. There are no donor cells, no foreign biological material, and no risk of rejection — because everything used comes from you.
At Aeterna Health Queensland, we deliver svCell therapy: an adipose-derived (fat-derived) stromal vascular fraction process that concentrates a mixture of regenerative cells from the patient’s own tissue and reinjects them into the affected joint. The entire procedure takes approximately four hours and is performed as a day patient at Southport Day Hospital under medical supervision.
This is not a cortisone injection. It’s a biological intervention targeting the inflammatory and regenerative environment within the joint itself.
What does the research say?
There is a growing body of peer-reviewed literature examining adipose-derived SVF therapy for osteoarthritis. Studies have shown reductions in pain scores and improvements in function sustained over periods of up to five years. Markers of joint inflammation — including pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 — have been shown to decrease following treatment in published clinical data.
It’s important to be clear: svCell therapy is a complementary treatment option, not a cure. Individual results vary. It is not appropriate for every patient or every stage of osteoarthritis. A thorough clinical assessment is always the starting point.
Is this available on the Gold Coast?
Yes. Aeterna Health Queensland operates through Southport Day Hospital — an accredited private hospital facility. Under current Australian regulations, autologous cell therapy of this kind must be conducted within an accredited hospital setting under medical supervision. That’s exactly how we operate.
If you’ve exhausted cortisone and aren’t ready for surgery — or want to explore whether there’s a biological option that might reduce your reliance on ongoing injections — a consultation with our team is the right first step.
Book a consultation → jacque@aeternahealth.com.au | +61 7 5502 0714
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