First Reported Case: Fat Tissue Therapy Heals Stubborn Prosthetic Limb Ulcer

Three-year non-healing wound finally closes after single treatment

Living with a prosthetic limb comes with unique skin challenges. Roughly 75 percent of people who use lower-limb prostheses experience skin problems. The constant pressure, friction, and moisture inside a prosthetic socket can cause wounds that simply refuse to heal. This case report describes a promising new approach using your body's own fat tissue to help these difficult wounds finally close.

Patient tried everything for three years without success

A 56-year-old man had been living with a below-knee amputation since childhood. After years of successful prosthetic use, he developed a wound on the weight-bearing surface near his kneecap. Despite three years of standard treatments, the wound would not heal. His doctors tried multiple approaches: stopping prosthetic use for four to six weeks at a time, adjusting his socket fit, using special silicone socks, and even bioengineered skin grafts. Nothing worked permanently.

The wound caused significant pain whenever he wore his prosthesis. This limited his ability to walk, exercise, and live his normal active life. Stopping prosthetic use—the most common recommendation—meant losing his independence and mobility.

Single injection of processed fat tissue offers new hope

Rather than undergo a surgical skin graft, the patient chose to try micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) therapy. This treatment uses specially processed fat from your own body. Doctors harvested a small amount of fat from his upper buttocks area. They then processed it using a Lipogems kit, which gently breaks down the fat while keeping its natural healing structure intact.

The processed fat tissue was injected beneath the wound in four spots. Each spot received about two milliliters, for a total of eight milliliters. The entire procedure was minimally invasive—no major surgery required.

Complete pain relief and visible healing within four weeks

The results were remarkable. At his four-week follow-up appointment, the patient reported:

• No pain at the previously stubborn wound site

• Significant wound size reduction with new skin appearing

• Return to full prosthetic use without restrictions

• Resumption of normal physical activities including exercise

After three years of failed treatments, a single injection helped his body finally heal the wound.

Why fat tissue may help chronic wounds heal

Chronic wounds often get stuck in the inflammatory phase of healing. They cannot progress to building new tissue. Fat tissue contains special regenerative cells called mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells release substances that:

• Reduce harmful inflammation

• Fight bacteria that may be present

• Promote new blood vessel growth

• Support the formation of healthy new tissue

By injecting processed fat tissue beneath the wound, doctors create an environment where healing can finally happen.

Important considerations for patients with similar wounds

This report represents the first documented case of MFAT treating a prosthesis-related limb ulcer. While the results are encouraging, this was a single patient. The authors note that this patient was reasonably active, and his original amputation resulted from infection rather than poor blood circulation.

Patients whose amputations resulted from diabetes or vascular disease may respond differently. More research with larger groups of patients is needed to confirm these findings.

A potential option when standard treatments fail

For amputees struggling with chronic wounds that do not respond to conventional care, this case suggests MFAT may offer a safe, minimally invasive alternative. The treatment uses your own tissue, avoiding rejection risks. Recovery instructions were simple: avoid anti-inflammatory medications, keep the area dry for two weeks, and limit activity for four days.

If you have a prosthesis-related wound that has not healed despite months or years of treatment, ask your doctor whether regenerative therapies like MFAT might be appropriate for your situation.

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Source: Coperland et al., Regenerative Therapy, 2021.