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Microfragmented fat is a preparation of fat which has been aspirated from an area of the body like the front of the abdomen and passed through a system to chop it up and extract the portion that contains progenitor cells.

fat matrix of cells, vessels and precursor cells
The microfragmented fat contains fat cells, tiny vessels and precursor cells that cling to the vessels.

 

How microfragmented fat is used in the knee

Under local anaesthesia, the doctor aspirates with a large syringe fat from the fatty part of the abdomen or thighs. After microfragmentation, the useful portion of the aspirate is injected into the knee. The progenitor cells, called pericytes, migrate off the tiny vessels and enter the tissues where they may transform into mesenchymal stem cells and play a part in healing and repair.

Synonyms: 
Lipogems
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Dr Sheila Strover (Editor)
BSc (Hons), MB BCh, MBA

See biography...


Also relevant -


reading

eBook - The Magic of Fat Cells

A discussion by Professor Paul Lee about the changes one sees in osteoarthritis of the knee, and the role of regenerative medicine and surgery in improving the status of the joint cartilage in an effort to delay, or even prevent, knee replacement.