Next-Generation Knee Injections: How Do They Work?

At IMAGE REGENERATIVE, based in Milano and St. Moritz, the approach to joint care has undergone a profound transformation thanks to the vision of Professor Carlo Tremolada.

Our facility focuses on the use of the orthopedic Lipogems® protocol, a cutting-edge technology that uses autologous adipose tissue to stimulate the body's natural repair processes.

This method represents a fundamental resource for those seeking post-injury recovery or wish to counteract cartilage degenerative processes without immediately resorting to prosthetic surgery.

Many patients come to our attention after attempting various therapeutic approaches, finding in regenerative medicine a concrete and lasting answer to their mobility needs.

Knee Injections: What Are They?

Knee injections consist of injecting therapeutic substances directly into the joint space to treat inflammatory or degenerative conditions, such as knee osteoarthritis. Traditionally, this term recalls the use of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, substances that have dominated the orthopedic landscape for decades. Corticosteroids act rapidly on inflammation, reducing acute pain, but present physiological limits, as repeated and prolonged use can contribute to the weakening of joint tissues.

Hyaluronic acid, on the other hand, is used for viscosupplementation, that is, to restore lubrication within the joint. Although this technique can offer temporary relief by improving the sliding of joint surfaces, it primarily addresses the mechanical symptom.

The duration of such benefits is often limited over time, requiring frequent cycles of sessions to maintain results. These conventional options lack an essential component: the ability to actively interact with the cellular microenvironment to promote real regeneration of damaged tissues. For this reason, our clinic has chosen to go beyond purely symptomatic and mechanical solutions, embracing the potential of cellular biology.

Understanding the Lipogems® Method: The Best Regenerative Solution

The heart of IMAGE REGENERATIVE's approach is the Lipogems® system, a patented kit by Professor Carlo Tremolada that has revolutionized the treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies.

This methodology is based on the use of the patient's adipose tissue, considered today one of the richest and most accessible sources of mesenchymal stem cells and pericytes.

Unlike techniques that involve cellular expansion in the laboratory, the Lipogems® system processes fat in a purely mechanical way, keeping the vascular-stromal niche intact.

During the process, the harvested adipose tissue is micro-fragmented and washed of inflammatory residues, such as oil and blood, without the use of enzymes or chemical additives. The final product is a vital tissue, rich in growth factors and cells with high paracrine capabilities, capable of acting as a true biological scaffold.

Once injected into the knee, Lipogems® tissue adheres to the injured areas, initiating a cellular signaling process that reduces inflammation and supports the repair of cartilage and soft tissues. This is an approach that respects the body's physiology, exploiting the patient's internal resources to achieve visible improvement in joint functionality.

Lipogems® and Hyaluronic Acid Compared: Why Choose Regeneration?

Many patients ask if it is possible to combine the benefits of hyaluronic acid with the regenerative properties of Lipogems®. It is important to clarify that, while hyaluronic acid offers immediate lubrication, the insertion of processed adipose tissue adds a therapeutic dimension that lubrication alone cannot provide.

Adipose tissue acts as a natural biological shock absorber, but its true strength lies in its ability to release bioactive molecules over an extended period.

While hyaluronic acid tends to be reabsorbed by the body in relatively short times, Lipogems® tissue remains in situ, integrating with existing structures. This allows for a dual effect: an improvement in movement fluidity, similar to that provided by viscosupplementation, and a deep action to counteract tissue degeneration. The effectiveness of this regenerative approach surpasses the limits of traditional treatments because it does not simply "oil" the mechanism, but works to preserve the integrity of joint surfaces, reducing the need for early prosthetics and significantly improving daily quality of life.

Procedure and Safety: What to Expect During Treatment?

Treatment with Lipogems® at IMAGE REGENERATIVE is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure performed entirely in a single session lasting approximately sixty minutes. The process begins with a small harvest of adipose tissue, usually from the abdomen or flanks, performed under local anesthesia with thin micro-cannulas. This phase is rapid and involves minimal discomfort for the patient, comparable to that of a normal injection.

Subsequently, the tissue is instantly processed through the closed-circuit Lipogems® system. Once the purified product is obtained, the physician proceeds with intra-articular injection into the knee, often under ultrasound guidance to ensure maximum precision in placement. Since the material used is autologous, meaning it belongs to the patient themselves, the risk of rejection or allergic reactions is virtually non-existent.

After the procedure, the patient can return home independently, following some simple recommendations for relative rest in the following days. The resumption of daily activities is usually rapid, with progressive improvement of symptoms in the weeks following the intervention.

Clinical Results and Patient Testimonials on Lipogems® Effectiveness

The validity of the Lipogems® method is supported by extensive international scientific literature and numerous clinical studies confirming its effectiveness in treating joint pathologies. At our clinic, we have observed how most patients report a significant reduction in pain symptoms and an increase in mobility within just a few weeks of treatment.

These results are not only subjective, but are documented through medically validated functional evaluation scales.

Patients who have undergone the procedure often describe a sensation of greater joint stability and a renewed ability to perform previously precluded activities, such as walking for long periods or climbing stairs without discomfort. Many athletes have found in Lipogems® an effective solution to treat overload injuries, allowing a return to competitive or amateur activity in optimized times.

Our patients' satisfaction derives from the awareness of having chosen a path that respects the integrity of their own body, focusing on the prevention of invasive surgery through the intelligent use of their own biological resources.

Final Considerations and Future Prospects for Regenerative Medicine

Regenerative medicine represents the future of orthopedic management, shifting the focus from simple tissue replacement to their preservation and regeneration.

IMAGE REGENERATIVE is at the forefront in this field, offering solutions that integrate scientific research and high-level clinical practice. The Lipogems® method has demonstrated that it is possible to intervene effectively on knee pathologies while respecting human biology, providing a valid alternative for those who do not wish or cannot undergo complex surgical procedures.

Future prospects are oriented toward an increasingly greater personalization of therapeutic protocols, where advanced diagnostics combine with cellular therapies to offer ever more precise and lasting results. Choosing a regenerative treatment means investing in the long-term health of one's joints, prioritizing the quality of movement and the overall well-being of the organism.

Our mission remains to provide patients with the necessary tools to maintain an active lifestyle, counteracting joint aging with the safest and most innovative technologies available in the global medical landscape.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions about Next-Generation Knee Injections

What are the new knee injections?

The new frontiers of joint treatment concern regenerative medicine, particularly the use of micro-fragmented adipose tissue through the Lipogems® system.

This technique differs from traditional injections because it uses mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors present in one's own fat to promote the repair of damaged tissues, offering a deeper action compared to synthetic lubricants.

What are the best knee injections?

The choice of the ideal injection depends on the degree of joint degeneration. However, regenerative medicine with Lipogems® is considered superior due to its ability to treat the cause of the pathology and not just the symptoms. While hyaluronic acid acts as a temporary lubricant, Lipogems® acts as a biological shock absorber that modulates inflammation and supports cartilage vitality over time.

How many types of knee injections are there?

The main types include corticosteroids for acute inflammation, hyaluronic acid for mechanical viscosupplementation, and regenerative therapies. Among the latter, the Lipogems® method stands out for the use of autologous tissue rich in vascular-stromal units, offering a curative approach that goes beyond the simple pain management typical of traditional pharmaceutical treatments.

What are the new treatments for knee cartilage?

The most innovative treatments are based on the potential of regenerative medicine, which includes options such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and, above all, the use of adipose tissue. The Lipogems® protocol, in particular, allows treating cartilage lesions and early osteoarthritis by providing a biological structure that stimulates local reparative response. This approach helps improve the quality of joint tissue and significantly delay the need for invasive surgical procedures.