GFC Therapy in Surat
Growth Factor Concentrate for Knee Arthritis and Tendon Pain
GFC (Growth Factor Concentrate) therapy uses healing proteins taken from your own blood to treat joint and tendon pain. At Shivaan Hospital, Dr. Krunal Donda offers GFC as a non-surgical option for early to moderate knee arthritis and long-standing tendon problems, all in one visit.
What is GFC therapy?
GFC stands for Growth Factor Concentrate. Your blood contains platelets, tiny cells that help wounds heal. Inside each platelet are growth factors: natural proteins that signal the body to repair damaged tissue.
In GFC therapy, a small amount of your blood is processed in a sterile, single-use kit. The platelets are activated inside the tube, so they release their growth factors. The tube is then spun to separate a clear, concentrated layer of growth factors from the blood cells.
This concentrate, about 2 ml, is injected into the affected joint or tendon under ultrasound guidance. Because it comes from your own body, it is called an autologous treatment.
How is GFC different from PRP?
Both GFC and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) are made from your own blood. The difference is what goes into the injection and how it is prepared.
| PRP | GFC | |
|---|---|---|
| Made from | Your own blood | Your own blood |
| What is injected | Concentrated platelets in plasma, often with some red and white blood cells | The growth factors released from your platelets, with no red or white blood cells |
| When growth factors are released | Mostly after injection, inside the body | Inside the tube, before it is spun |
| Preparation | Several steps; the result varies with the kit and method used | One sealed tube, one spin, about 40 minutes |
| Amount of growth factors | Varies from one preparation to the next | Higher and more consistent in the kit maker's laboratory tests |
| Soreness after injection | White blood cells in some PRP can add to soreness | No white blood cells; some soreness for a day or two is still normal |
Your doctor will advise which of the two suits your condition.
Conditions GFC may help with
Knee osteoarthritis (early to moderate). GFC is mainly used for knee arthritis of Grade 1 to 3 on X-ray. It aims to ease pain and improve how the knee works. It is not a substitute for knee replacement when arthritis is advanced (Grade 4).
Tendon problems (tendinopathy). Long-standing tendon pain that has not settled with rest and physiotherapy, such as:
Other conditions being studied. Growth factors are also being studied in fractures that are slow to heal, rotator cuff and Achilles tendon repair, ankle sprains, muscle injuries and ACL reconstruction. In these, GFC is still an evolving option, and Dr. Donda will advise case by case.
How GFC works
Cartilage has no blood supply of its own, so it heals poorly once it wears down. Tendons that are injured again and again also struggle to repair. GFC delivers a large dose of your body's own repair signals straight to the problem area.
The growth factors in GFC are thought to:
- Calm inflammation. Some of them block signals (such as IL-1 and TNF-alpha) that drive pain and cartilage breakdown.
- Slow cartilage wear. They help protect cartilage from the enzymes that break it down.
- Support repair. They encourage cartilage cells to make the building blocks of healthy cartilage, and help tendons rebuild.
- Improve joint fluid. They prompt the joint lining to produce more hyaluronic acid, the joint's natural lubricant.
- Improve blood supply. In tendons, they encourage new small blood vessels, bringing in nutrients and repair cells.
The main growth factors include PDGF, TGF-beta, VEGF, IGF-1 and EGF. Much of this comes from laboratory research, and how much each patient benefits varies.
The GFC procedure, step by step
- Assessment. Dr. Donda examines you and reviews your X-ray or MRI to confirm GFC is suitable.
- Blood sample. About 4 ml of blood is drawn from your arm into a sterile GFC tube (8 ml in two tubes if both knees are treated).
- Activation. The tube is gently turned over a few times and left to stand for 30 minutes. A solution inside the tube activates the platelets so they release their growth factors.
- Separation. The tube is spun in a centrifuge for 10 minutes. This separates the growth factor layer from the red and white blood cells.
- Injection. About 2 ml of GFC is drawn up and injected into the joint or tendon under ultrasound guidance and sterile conditions.
Preparing the GFC takes about 40 minutes, and the whole visit usually takes around an hour. The sample stays in one sealed tube throughout, with nothing added from outside.
Treatment schedule
- Usually 3 sittings in total, one month apart.
- If needed, a further sitting after 4 to 6 months.
- After that, a yearly sitting may be advised.
Each kit is used for one patient, at one sitting only. Your schedule depends on your condition and how you respond.
What the research shows
Two Indian studies of this GFC kit in knee arthritis reported less pain and better knee function after three injections.
Safety and possible side effects
Because GFC is made from your own blood, there is no risk of an allergic or immune reaction to the material itself, and no risk of catching an infection from someone else's blood. The concentrate contains no red or white blood cells, which helps keep soreness to a minimum.
As with any injection, there are small risks:
- Pain at the injection site
- Mild swelling, redness or warmth in the treated area
- Infection (rare, reduced by strict sterile technique)
- Injury to a nearby blood vessel or nerve (rare; ultrasound guidance helps avoid this)
- Scar tissue at the injection site (rare)
Mild pain, redness and swelling usually settle within a few hours to a few days.
Who may not be suitable
GFC may not be advised, or needs extra care, if you have:
- An active infection
- A bleeding disorder, low platelet count, or a blood condition such as thalassaemia or sickle cell disease
- Anaemia
- Cancer, now or in the past
- An autoimmune condition
- A thyroid problem
- Heavy smoking, or alcohol or drug misuse
- A past reaction to this kind of treatment
- Medicines that suppress the immune system
Please tell the doctor if you take blood thinners or have had a steroid injection in the same joint recently. GFC has not been tested in children, in pregnancy or during breastfeeding, so it is not offered in these cases.
Before and after your GFC injection
Before
- Bring your latest X-ray or MRI reports.
- Tell the doctor about all medicines you take, especially blood thinners.
- Eat normally and drink water before the visit.
After
- Some soreness, swelling or stiffness for a day or two is normal.
- Keep the injection site clean and dry for the rest of the day.
- Follow Dr. Donda's advice on activity, physiotherapy and pain relief.
- Contact the hospital if you notice increasing pain, fever, or redness that spreads.
Why choose Shivaan Hospital for GFC therapy
Frequently asked questions about GFC therapy
No. Both come from your own blood, but GFC contains the growth factors already released from your platelets, with no red or white blood cells. PRP contains the platelets themselves, which release their growth factors after injection.
You will feel the needle and some pressure in the joint. Mild soreness for a day or two afterwards is common.
About an hour in total. The GFC takes around 40 minutes to prepare, and the injection itself takes a few minutes.
Usually three, one month apart. Some patients need a further session after 4 to 6 months, and then once a year.
It varies. In the knee arthritis study, pain scores began to fall after the first injection and kept improving up to 6 months.
For early to moderate arthritis (Grade 1 to 3), GFC may ease pain and delay the need for surgery. It cannot regrow a worn-out joint, and in advanced arthritis (Grade 4) knee replacement is usually the better option.
Yes. Two tubes of blood are taken and both knees are injected in the same visit.
It is made from your own blood in a sealed, sterile kit, so there is no risk of allergy to the material. The usual small risks of any injection still apply, such as soreness and, rarely, infection.
The cost depends on the number of joints and sessions. Call +91 98790 99184 for a personalised estimate.
Find out if GFC therapy is right for you
Book a consultation with Dr. Krunal Donda at Shivaan Hospital, Infinity Tower, Lal Darwaja Station Road, Surat. Bring your X-ray or MRI reports, and we will explain all your options, with and without surgery. Call +91 98790 99184 or send your details on WhatsApp.
This page is for general information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Whether GFC therapy is suitable, and the results you can expect, depend on your condition and are decided after an examination by your doctor.