Lipogems® Knee Injection Shown Safe Under Local Anesthesia

34 Patients Treated Without General Anesthesia or Sedation

This Brazilian study tested whether Lipogems® treatment for knee osteoarthritis could be performed safely using only local anesthesia. Researchers at a major São Paulo hospital treated 34 patients without putting them to sleep. All patients went home the same day as their procedure. This approach could make regenerative treatment more accessible by avoiding the risks and costs of general anesthesia.

Study Included Patients with Moderate to Severe Arthritis

The research team recruited adults aged 40 to 80 with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Participants had arthritis severity ranging from moderate to severe on X-ray imaging. The average patient was 61 years old with a healthy body weight. Women made up most of the group, representing 82 percent of participants. Patients with severe knee misalignment, rheumatoid arthritis, or significant obesity were not included.

Procedure Used Fat Tissue From the Lower Abdomen

Doctors harvested fat tissue from each patient's lower abdomen using a numbing technique:

• Small incisions (about four millimeters) were made on each side of the abdomen

• A special anesthetic solution numbed the tissue before fat collection

• Approximately 120 milliliters of fat tissue was collected

• The Lipogems® system processed this into about 20 milliliters of micro-fragmented tissue

• Each knee received a ten-milliliter injection guided by ultrasound imaging

The entire procedure took place in a sterile surgical environment. Patients received preventive antibiotics and pain medication through an IV line.

Most Common Side Effects Were Bruising and Mild Soreness

Researchers evaluated patients at the time of the procedure and again after seven days. The findings showed only minor, expected side effects:

• Bruising at the abdomen: 76.5 percent of patients experienced this common reaction

• Mild discomfort at the harvest site: 70.6 percent reported some soreness where fat was collected

• Mild knee discomfort: 61.8 percent had temporary soreness at the injection site

These effects are typical after any injection or minor surgical procedure. Importantly, no serious adverse events occurred. No patients required extended hospital stays, and all went home as planned on the same day.

No Major Complications Recorded in Any Patient

The study's main finding was straightforward: harvesting and injecting micro-fragmented adipose tissue under local anesthesia appears safe. The research team found no major adverse events during or after the procedures. This is significant because it suggests patients may not need general anesthesia for this treatment. Avoiding general anesthesia reduces medical risks, especially for older patients or those with other health conditions.

What This Means for Patients Considering Treatment

This study focused specifically on safety rather than measuring pain relief or function improvement. If you are considering Lipogems® for knee osteoarthritis, this research offers reassurance that:

• The procedure can be performed while you are awake

• You can typically go home the same day

• Side effects are generally mild and temporary

• The most common issues are bruising and soreness that resolve on their own

The study was relatively small with 34 patients and followed them for only seven days. Longer studies with more participants would provide additional confidence. However, this research adds to the growing body of evidence supporting the safety profile of micro-fragmented adipose tissue treatments.

If you have concerns about anesthesia or want a minimally invasive option for knee arthritis, discuss this approach with your doctor. They can help determine whether you might be a good candidate based on your specific health situation and arthritis severity.

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Source: Varone et al., Clinics, 2024.