Microfragmented adipose tissue in the treatment of a full-thickness supraspinatus tear: a case report.

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

• 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)

A 70-year-old female presented with an 8-month history of right anterior shoulder pain and weakness, unresolved with conservative management. Among other shoulder pathology, the patient was diagnosed with a full-thickness supraspinatus tear and elected to proceed with the microfragmented adipose tissue procedure to treat the injured tendon and nearby relevant structures. Improvements in pain and function were documented along with progressive healing of the supraspinatus on ultrasound and MRI following the procedure. This case demonstrates the efficacy of microfragmented adipose tissue as a relatively novel approach to treating non-retracted, full-thickness rotator cuff tears. Fat is an excellent source of stem cells and collagen protein fibers known as a matrix. Mesenchymal stem cells can differentiate into a variety of other cell types. Collagen provides structure and is a major component of muscles and tendons. When transferring stem cells from one's own fat, these cells can support the body's repair process of injured tissue, such as rotator cuff tears of the shoulder. In this case, a patient with a long history of shoulder pain and weakness was diagnosed with a full-thickness tear of one of the four muscles that make up the rotator cuff. Full-thickness tears, compared with partial-thickness tears, are larger, deeper tears that extend across the tendon. This is an injury th

Evidence level

Early human evidence such as case series or small samples is exploring possible benefits.

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