Arthroscopic Surgery Plus Fat Tissue Injection Shows Promise

92% of Knee OA Patients Improved Within One Year

This Italian study followed 38 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis who received a combined treatment. Researchers used arthroscopic surgery alongside an injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (specially processed fat from the patient's own body). The fat tissue was processed using the Lipogems® system, which gently breaks down fat into tiny clusters while preserving the natural healing cells inside. After one year, 92% of patients showed clinical improvement. Remarkably, every single patient reported satisfaction with their treatment.

Patients Had Tried Other Treatments Without Success

All patients in this study had struggled with knee pain for at least 12 months. They had already tried physical therapy, steroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections, or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatments. None of these options provided lasting relief. To qualify for the study, patients needed to have moderate cartilage damage but not severe end-stage arthritis. This made them good candidates for a joint-preserving approach rather than knee replacement.

Simple Same-Day Procedure From Your Own Fat Tissue

The treatment involved two steps performed during one surgical session. First, doctors harvested a small amount of fat tissue from the patient's abdomen using a gentle suction technique. The fat was then processed through the Lipogems® device, which works like a specialized filter. This device breaks the fat into micro-fragments while washing away blood and oily residues. The entire process happens in a closed, sterile system without chemicals or enzymes. About 10 milliliters of the processed tissue was then injected into the knee joint.

Pain Scores and Quality of Life Steadily Improved

Researchers tracked patients at one, three, six, and 12 months using the KOOS questionnaire. This standardized tool measures five areas: pain, symptoms, daily activities, sports function, and quality of life. All five scores showed steady, significant improvement throughout the year.

The most dramatic gains appeared in:

• Sports and recreation ability – patients could return to more active lifestyles

• Quality of life – patients reported better overall well-being

• Daily function – everyday activities became easier

The improvements weren't just temporary. Scores continued getting better at each follow-up visit, suggesting the treatment provides lasting benefits rather than short-term relief.

No Serious Side Effects or Complications Reported

Safety was carefully monitored throughout the study. No adverse events or significant complications occurred in any of the 38 patients. This aligns with the Lipogems® approach of using your own tissue (called autologous treatment), which avoids rejection risks associated with donor materials. Patients went home the day after surgery. The recovery protocol included two weeks of reduced weight-bearing, followed by gradual return to full activity over the next week. Physical therapy began 15 days after the procedure.

What This Means for Your Treatment Decision

This study suggests that micro-fragmented adipose tissue can enhance the results of arthroscopic knee surgery. The combination appears particularly helpful for patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis who haven't found relief from other conservative treatments.

Key points to discuss with your doctor:

• The procedure uses your own fat tissue, eliminating rejection concerns

• It can be completed in a single surgical session

• Recovery is relatively quick compared to more invasive options

• Results improved steadily over 12 months

The researchers note that longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm these promising early results. However, for patients seeking alternatives to knee replacement, this combination approach offers an encouraging option worth exploring with your orthopedic specialist.

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Source: Cattaneo et al., BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 2018.