IRM Hospital provides personalized arthritis treatment in Islamabad, with expert evaluation and care plans that may include physiotherapy, rehabilitation and stem cell therapy when clinically appropriate.
Dr. Salman Naeem Gilani and Dr. Malik Muhammad Naeem assess your history, investigations and goals before discussing physiotherapy, stem cell therapy, or both.
Selected patients are evaluated for autologous and umbilical cord–derived stem cell therapy. Suitability depends on your diagnosis, disease stage and the treating physician's assessment.
➤ What Is Arthritis
Arthritis is a group of more than 100 conditions that cause inflammation, pain, stiffness or damage to the cartilage that lets your joints move smoothly. Some types wear joints down gradually with age; others are autoimmune conditions that can appear at any age, including in children.
Left unmanaged, arthritis can progressively limit walking, working, sleeping and independence. Early assessment at IRM Hospital is what keeps those options open — and it starts with confirming exactly which type you have.
100+
Recognized arthritis conditions
Any age
From children to older adults
12+
Joint groups that can be affected
➤ Commonly Affected Joints
Arthritis commonly affects the knees, ankles, elbows, hips, jaw, shoulders, spine and wrists. Knowing which joint is involved helps you explore the right evaluation and treatment options with a qualified specialist.
➤ Types of Arthritis
Each type has a different cause and a different treatment pathway. Osteoarthritis and juvenile arthritis have their own in-depth guides; the other types are covered here.
Self-diagnosis is unreliable — many types share symptoms. Our team confirms your exact type through examination and imaging.
➤ Compare the Types
Symptoms often overlap between types — this is why a clinical diagnosis, not a symptom checklist, determines your treatment path.
| Type | Primary cause | Commonly affected areas | Typical age group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osteoarthritis | Cartilage degeneration | Knees, hips, hands, spine | Older adults (earlier after injury) |
| Rheumatoid Arthritis | Autoimmune inflammation | Hands, wrists, feet, knees | Adults, more common in women |
| Juvenile Arthritis | Autoimmune / inflammatory | Multiple joints | Children and adolescents |
| Psoriatic Arthritis | Autoimmune, linked to psoriasis | Fingers, toes, spine, knees | Adults |
| Ankylosing Spondylitis | Chronic inflammatory disease | Spine and pelvis | Young adults |
| Gout | Uric acid crystal buildup | Big toe, ankles, knees | Adults |
| Reactive Arthritis | Triggered by certain infections | Knees, ankles, feet | Young to middle-aged adults |
➤ Signs & Symptoms
Symptoms can build gradually or appear suddenly, depending on the type. Persistent pain and stiffness should never be dismissed, especially when they interfere with daily life.
➤ Root Cause
Different types develop for different reasons — which is exactly why treatment starts with identifying the cause, not just the symptom.
Cartilage wears down over time — the leading cause of osteoarthritis.
The immune system attacks the joints, as in rheumatoid, psoriatic and juvenile arthritis.
Fractures, ligament tears or old sports injuries can lead to arthritis years later.
A build-up of uric acid crystals in the joint causes gout.
A family history of arthritis raises the risk of several types.
Certain bacterial infections can trigger reactive arthritis.
Excess weight, smoking and inactivity add strain and inflammation.
Repetitive joint stress at work can wear joints down over time.
➤ Diagnosis
More than 100 conditions fall under “arthritis.” Confirming which one you have — and how far it has progressed — comes before any treatment discussion.
➤ Why Choose IRM
Choosing arthritis care involves more than picking a procedure. It requires an accurate diagnosis, an experienced clinical team and a rehabilitation plan built around your specific joints — which is how every patient is treated at IRM.
Your age, affected joints, severity and goals shape a plan built for you — not a template.
Treatment recommendations follow your diagnosis, never the other way around.
X-rays, MRI and prior records are reviewed before any treatment is discussed.
Recovery is monitored on schedule, and your plan is adjusted as your joints respond.
Pre- and post-treatment rehabilitation is part of your protocol, not an afterthought.
Stem cell processing is handled under controlled laboratory conditions on-site.
➤ Dr. Salman Gilani's Treatment Protocol
Every arthritis patient moves through the same disciplined process — only the decisions inside it are personalized to your joints and diagnosis, under the supervision of Dr. Salman Gilani.
Symptoms, history, medications and goals are reviewed in detail.
X-rays, MRI and prior records are assessed by the clinical team.
Dr. Salman and the team design your individualized care plan.
Strength and mobility work, when appropriate, prepares the joint.
Performed under established clinical protocols and supervision.
Typically around 10 days of relative rest, tailored to your case.
Progressive physiotherapy and scheduled follow-up assessments.
Diagnosis first, treatment plan second. Book a full arthritis assessment with Dr. Salman Gilani’s team.
➤ Regenerative Options
At IRM Hospital, evidence-informed regenerative medicine is delivered through a structured clinical protocol under specialist supervision. The right option is selected only after your evaluation is complete.
➤ Option 1
Uses the patient’s own stem cells, reducing the risk of immune rejection.
➤ Option 2
For selected patients, using mesenchymal stem cells from carefully screened umbilical cord tissue.
➤ Candidacy
Stem cell therapy is not the right first step for every patient. A recommendation is made only after a full clinical evaluation.
➤ Decision Guide
A practical starting point — your consultation confirms which path applies to you. This is guidance, not a diagnosis or a guarantee of treatment.
Often evaluated for regenerative therapy once conservative care and physiotherapy have been tried.
Requires disease-activity control first; regenerative options are considered alongside your rheumatology care.
Evaluated with paediatric-specific protocols focused on protecting joint development.
Assessed alongside skin symptoms; timing depends on disease activity.
Spinal mobility and inflammation markers guide whether regenerative care is appropriate.
Acute flares are managed first; regenerative therapy is not a first-line gout treatment.
The underlying infection is addressed before any regenerative option is discussed.
➤ Meet Your Specialist
Stem Cell Consultant & Fellow in Stem Cell Therapy · Diplomate, American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine · Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine
Dr. Syed Salman leads the stem cell department at the Institute of Regenerative Medicine, guiding patients from the first consultation through post-treatment recovery. Every arthritis plan at IRM follows his 7-step protocol, with physiotherapy built in and stem cell therapy offered only when your evaluation supports it. Read his full profile, or message his coordinator directly to discuss your case.
“Arthritis care should start with an accurate diagnosis, not a procedure. We confirm the type and stage first, build physiotherapy into every plan, and recommend stem cell therapy only when it is genuinely suitable for the patient.”
— Dr. Syed Salman Naeem Gilani
➤ Nationwide Trust
Patients choose IRM Hospital not for a single procedure, but for a complete evaluation-through-recovery process — increasingly rare in regenerative medicine clinics.
Dedicated health sections under one roof
Distinct medical services offered
Clinical & support staff members
Documented treatment protocol for every patient
➤ Who This Is For
IRM is based in Islamabad at 397-Kortana, Opposite Gate 4, DHA Phase 2 — the closest full-service arthritis and stem cell treatment centre for patients from Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with no need to travel outside the capital for assessment or treatment.
Patients from Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Peshawar and other cities can plan their arthritis assessment and treatment at I.R.M in Islamabad. Our coordinator helps arrange appointments to keep travel to a minimum.
Overseas Pakistanis and international patients from the UAE, UK, USA and Canada can contact us before travelling, so the assessment and any treatment can be scheduled within their stay.
➤ Arthritis FAQs
Every patient begins with a consultation, physical examination and review of imaging to confirm the exact type and stage of arthritis before any treatment — including stem cell therapy — is discussed.
Stem cell therapy is an emerging regenerative option that may help selected patients, particularly with osteoarthritis, by supporting joint repair and reducing inflammation. Outcomes vary between patients, and suitability is confirmed only after a full clinical evaluation.
Osteoarthritis is caused by gradual wear of the cartilage, usually with age or after injury. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the joint lining, often affecting both sides of the body.
Yes. Juvenile arthritis begins before age 16, and care focuses on protecting growing joints and normal development, using paediatric-specific protocols. Read more in our juvenile arthritis treatment guide.
Autologous therapy uses your own stem cells, which are mobilized, collected and processed before injection. Umbilical cord–derived therapy uses screened mesenchymal stem cells from donated cord tissue, so no harvesting from you is needed and it is often a single-day procedure.
Most patients follow around 10 days of relative rest, avoiding strenuous activity, followed by a progressive physiotherapy and follow-up plan tailored to their case.
Some patients are better served first by continued physiotherapy, medication adjustments, weight and lifestyle changes, further investigations or referral to orthopaedic or rheumatology specialists. Your doctor will explain the best first step for you.
IRM evaluates all the common types — osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, juvenile, psoriatic, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and reactive arthritis — and recommends the treatment pathway that fits your diagnosis.
Self-diagnosis is unreliable because many types share symptoms. IRM confirms your type through your medical history, physical examination, imaging such as X-rays or MRI, and relevant laboratory tests.
No. IRM Hospital (Institute of Regenerative Medicine) in Islamabad is a separate institution from NIRM, Pakistan’s National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine.
Call Dr. Salman’s coordinator on +92 336 4367367 or book through our appointments page. Please bring your previous scans, reports and a list of your current medicines.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Salman Naeem Gilani. This page is for general information and does not replace individualized medical advice. Arthritis treatment outcomes vary by patient, diagnosis and disease stage; no specific result is guaranteed. Stem cell therapy is offered only after a clinical evaluation confirms suitability.
Book a consultation with Dr. Salman Gilani’s team for a full arthritis assessment — diagnosis first, treatment plan second.
