Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 15, 2025
Clinical Protocol of Producing Adipose Tissue-Derived Stromal Vascular Fraction for Potential Cartilage Regeneration
Published on: September 29, 2018
[A prospective Study about medium-term Results after autologous Fat Transplantation into arthritic CMC-I-joints]
Max V Meyer-Marcotty1,2, Ioannis Batsilas1,2, Hubert Fischer3
1Klinikum Lüdenscheid, Klinik für Plastische, Rekontruktive und Ästhetische Chirurgie/Handchirurgie.
Purpose:
Prospective study to evaluate the midterm results after transfer of autologous fat into osteoarthritic CMC-I-joints.
Patients And Methods:
23 out of 27 patients (22 females and 5 men) with an average age of 59,8 (49-83) years with osteoarthritis of the CMC I joint were treated with a fat transfer into the damaged joints. The follow-up was 45,3 (39,3-50,9) months. 4 patients were excluded from the follow-up because of a resection arthroplasty in the meantime. Grip strength and pinch strength, DASH questionnaires and pain (VAS) were analysed.
Results:
The average pinch strength increased from preoperatively 3,7 kg to 5,1 kg postoperatively (p = .052). The average grip strength increased minimally from preoperatively 22,2 kg to 22,8 kg at follow-up (p = .506). The average DASH score improved significantly from preoperatively 50,8 to 29,6 postoperatively (p = 0,000). The average pain level decreased significantly from preoperatively 5,9 to 1,9 at follow up (p = .000). Patients with an advanced osteoarthritis of the CMC-I-joint had similar results as patients with a minor osteoarthritis.
Conclusion:
The autologous fat transfer into the osteoarthritic CMC-I-joint showed in midterm follow-up good to very good clinical results regarding pinch strength, pain and DASH score. It is a safe minimal invasive promising alternative to accepted surgical therapies in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the CMC-I-joint.
