Living with joint arthritis or cartilage wear can limit the activities you enjoy most, especially once cortisone shots and physical therapy stop providing lasting relief. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) therapy, delivered through an MFAT injection, is one option some patients explore before considering joint replacement surgery.
At Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine, Dr. Michael Wong, DO offers Lipogems® MFAT treatment, which uses a small sample of your own fat tissue to help cushion and support a damaged joint. Board-certified and trained through UPMC, Dr. Mike evaluates your imaging and joint mechanics carefully to help determine whether this option is appropriate for your situation, taking a thorough, hands-on approach to every consultation rather than rushing you toward a single treatment path.
If you would like to learn more about whether MFAT therapy could fit your care plan, schedule a consultation with our team today.
MFAT stands for microfragmented adipose tissue, a term for a small, processed sample of your own fat tissue. Patients often ask what is MFAT therapy, and in simple terms, it refers to a treatment that uses the Lipogems® system to gently wash and resize a sample of fat collected from the abdomen or flank. The processing keeps much of the tissue’s natural structure intact, including small blood vessel-lining cells called pericytes, rather than breaking the tissue down chemically. The processed tissue is then injected into a joint under ultrasound guidance, where it is intended to act as a cushioning material and to support the joint’s local environment.
The Lipogems® system is also an FDA-cleared device for processing this kind of autologous (from your own body) adipose tissue, meeting federal standards for minimally manipulated tissue processing.
An MFAT procedure typically takes place over a single office visit lasting about 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Mike numbs a small area, usually on the abdomen or flank, with local anesthesia before collecting a modest amount of fat tissue using a thin cannula. This is a far less involved process than traditional liposuction. The tissue is processed at your bedside in a closed system and then injected into the target joint with ultrasound guidance to help confirm accurate placement.
Most patients go home the same day and can resume light activity within a short time, though Dr. Mike will provide a personalized recovery plan based on the joint treated.
Dr. Mike offers several orthobiologic options, including PRP injections and BMAC injections, alongside MFAT therapy, and he will help determine which approach may be best suited to your joint.
PRP is derived from a blood draw and delivers a concentrated dose of growth factors in liquid form, and it is generally considered for milder joint wear.
BMAC is collected from bone marrow and contains a different mix of cellular components, and it is often considered when there is deeper subchondral bone involvement, meaning changes in the layer of bone just beneath the joint cartilage.
MFAT differs from both because it uses fat tissue that stays in place within the joint longer than a liquid injection, functioning partly as a physical scaffold in addition to its biological effects.
Dr. Mike typically considers MFAT for patients with more advanced joint space loss where added structural cushioning may be helpful.
For some patients, Dr. Mike pairs MFAT therapy with shockwave therapy to help address surrounding soft tissue tightness, or combines it with PRP to add additional biological signaling alongside the structural cushioning MFAT provides. This kind of multi-modal approach is intended to support the joint from more than one direction, though it is not appropriate for every patient and results vary. MFAT therapy is typically considered a self-pay treatment, so our team can review current options with you and explain how it fits alongside your insurance coverage during your visit.
MFAT, or microfragmented adipose tissue, comes from a small sample of your own fat rather than blood or bone marrow. Unlike a typical cortisone or lubricating injection, the processed fat tissue is designed to remain in the joint space longer, providing both a physical cushioning effect and ongoing biological support to the surrounding tissue.
The MFAT procedure involves collecting a small amount of fat tissue under local anesthesia, processing it in a closed system to remove excess fluid and debris, and injecting it into the target joint using ultrasound guidance. The entire visit is typically completed in about 60 to 90 minutes, and most patients return to light activity within a short time afterward.
MFAT injection cost varies depending on the joint being treated and your specific care plan, and MFAT therapy is generally considered a self-pay treatment rather than an insurance-covered service. Our team can review current pricing information and discuss how it may work alongside your insurance coverage when you schedule your consultation.
Yes. The Lipogems® system used for MFAT therapy is cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for processing autologous adipose tissue. This is a regulatory clearance for the device and process, not a claim about how well the treatment works for any individual patient.
Dr. Mike numbs the harvesting area, usually on the abdomen or flank, with local anesthesia before collecting the fat tissue. Most patients tolerate the harvest well and describe feeling pressure rather than sharp pain. Some soreness in the area afterward, similar to a deep bruise, is normal for a few days.
For some patients, MFAT therapy may help manage joint pain and delay the need for joint replacement surgery. It is not a guaranteed alternative to surgery, and it is not appropriate for every patient or every stage of joint damage. Dr. Mike will review your imaging and symptoms to help you understand whether this option makes sense for your situation.
Our Harrison City, Wexford, and Shadyside offices provide MFAT therapy and a range of other non-surgical joint care options for patients throughout the surrounding areas. You can request an appointment online at any time, and our team will follow up to confirm your visit. We look forward to helping you find the right path forward for your joint health.