Intra-articular fat grafting for pain relief and functioning improvement in patients with knee osteoarthritis: systematic review.

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

This systematic review critically assesses intra-articular autologous adipose tissue infiltration in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients, providing an updated overview of this evolving therapeutic approach. We performed a literature search using PubMed, Cochrane Library, PRSJ, and Medscape with the search terms: "Fat grafting", "Lipofilling", "Microfat", "Nanofat" combined with "Knee" and/or "Osteoarthritis" and focusing on studies pertaining to fat grafting in knee OA. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42024615520. Out of the 460 screened articles, only 15 (3,3%) met our criteria. All studies under review consistently recorded clinical and instrumental outcomes after a fat grafting procedure. General features, fat grafting type, follow-up, intervention specifics, outcome measures, and clinical findings are reported. All the papers showed the emerging and promising role of nanofat grafting as a therapeutic strategy for managing OA. Intra-articular fat grafting appears to be an effective strategy in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Overall findings encourage further research to validate the efficacy and safety of nanofat in OA treatment. Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic condition marked by the progressive deterioration of synovial joints and articular cartilage tissue, with a negative impact on patients’

Evidence level

Relatively higher-quality human studies compared with other topics in this database, e.g. multiple RCTs or systematic reviews. This does not mean it is standard or approved care.

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