Real-World Study Tracks 202 Patients for Two Years After Fat Tissue Treatment

Knee osteoarthritis affects millions of people and can significantly limit daily activities. This Italian study followed over 200 patients who received a single injection of their own processed fat tissue (called micro-fragmented adipose tissue, or MFAT) to treat knee osteoarthritis. The researchers wanted to understand how well this treatment works in everyday clinical practice, not just in carefully controlled trials.

202 Patients Treated Across All Stages of Knee Arthritis

This study included adults aged 18 to 70 with knee osteoarthritis ranging from mild to severe. All patients had already tried other treatments without success. These included physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections, or other injections. Researchers tracked patients for an average of about two years after their single injection.

The procedure used the Lipogems® system to process fat tissue taken from each patient's abdomen. About 50 milliliters of fat was harvested through a small incision. The tissue was then washed, filtered, and broken into tiny fragments. Each patient received eight milliliters of this processed tissue injected directly into their knee joint.

Pain and Function Scores Improve Significantly at Six Months

Patients experienced meaningful improvements in both pain and knee function. The results showed:

• Overall knee function (measured by the KOOS score) improved significantly from before treatment to six months

• Function continued to improve between six and twelve months

• Pain scores dropped substantially at six months compared to starting levels

• Pain remained better than baseline throughout the study period

The KOOS score measures five areas: pain, symptoms, daily activities, sports function, and quality of life. Improvements across these areas suggest the treatment helped patients return to more normal activities.

Pain Relief Peaks Early, Then Partially Returns

One important finding was that pain relief followed a specific pattern. Patients experienced their greatest pain reduction at six months. However, some pain returned between six and twelve months. Despite this partial return, pain levels stayed significantly lower than before treatment throughout the full two years.

This pattern helps set realistic expectations. The treatment appears to provide lasting benefit, but the strongest relief occurs in the first six months.

Severe Arthritis and Previous Steroid Injections Predict Weaker Results

Not all patients responded equally well. Two factors predicted less favorable outcomes:

• Patients with the most severe arthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence grade four) showed smaller improvements at two years

• Patients who had received steroid injections before were more likely to need additional treatment later

These findings can help doctors identify which patients might benefit most from this approach. People with earlier-stage arthritis may see better long-term results.

No Serious Safety Concerns Reported in This Large Group

The study collected safety information throughout the follow-up period. The treatment was well tolerated. Patients were advised to rest for at least 24 hours after the procedure. They could use cold therapy and acetaminophen for any discomfort. Anti-inflammatory medications were not recommended during recovery.

This safety profile is encouraging for a procedure that uses your own tissue. Because the fat comes from your own body, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction to donor material.

Real-World Evidence Supports MFAT as a Treatment Option

This study provides "real-world" evidence rather than data from a tightly controlled clinical trial. The researchers deliberately included all eligible patients rather than selecting only ideal candidates. This approach better reflects what patients might experience in actual clinical practice.

The authors conclude that micro-fragmented adipose tissue may offer a safe and effective option for osteoarthritis symptoms. The procedure is minimally invasive and requires only a single injection. For patients who have not found relief from other conservative treatments, this approach may help delay or avoid more invasive surgery.

If you are considering this treatment, discuss your arthritis stage and treatment history with your doctor. These factors may influence how well the treatment works for your specific situation.

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Source: Screpis et al., Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022.