Lipogems®: Harnessing Your Body’s Fat for Regenerative Healing

The Biology: Why Fat Tissue Is Useful

Adipose tissue is rich in reparative cells (including pericytes and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells) embedded in a supportive structure. This gives it regenerative potential and anti-inflammatory effects.

The Lipogems system uses a “microfragmentation” process to gently wash, rinse, and resize fat tissue while preserving its microarchitecture. The result is a biologic material that can be injected into damaged joints or soft tissues to support healing.

The Procedure: Step by Step

1. Harvesting – Under local anaesthesia, a small amount of fat is taken (e.g. abdomen or thigh).
2. Processing – In a closed device, the fat is cleansed of oils, blood, and debris, and micro-fragmented.
3. Injection – The processed Lipogems tissue is injected into the target area (joint, tendon, ligament) under imaging guidance.
4. Recovery & Monitoring – Patients generally rest briefly, with follow-up and physiotherapy as needed.

The procedure is typically outpatient, minimally invasive, and often completed in ~1 hour.

Lipogems is commonly used for:

• Early to moderate knee arthritis, where it may help delay the need for a knee replacement.
• Hip arthritis in patients not yet ready for hip replacement surgery.
• Tendon and ligament injuries, including rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendon problems, or ligament sprains.
• Patients with lingering pain after surgery who want to avoid further major intervention.

It is often considered when other non-surgical treatments for joint pain such as physiotherapy, injections, or medications are no longer effective.

Read all about non-surgical treatments in our blog: Non-Surgical Treatments for Knee Pain: What Are Your Options?

• Minimally Invasive – A small procedure with no large incisions.
• Natural – Uses your own tissue, reducing risk of rejection or reaction.
• Outpatient-Based – Typically completed in under an hour.
• Versatile – Can be applied to joints, tendons, ligaments, and soft tissue.
• Bridge to Surgery – May delay or reduce the need for joint replacement.

Supported by this study in Sports Med Biologic¹, Lipogems has shown promising results in reducing pain and improving joint function for patients with mild-to-moderate arthritis.

Patients are able to go home the same day. Mild swelling or bruising can occur at the harvest site but typically resolves quickly.

• Walking is usually possible within 24 hours.
• Return to light activities in 1–2 weeks.
• Return to sport or higher-level activities is guided by physiotherapy and surgeon advice.

While many patients report reduced pain and improved mobility, results vary. Lipogems is not a cure for arthritis, but it may provide meaningful symptom relief and functional improvement.

1. Is Lipogems safe?
   Yes. Lipogems uses your own fat tissue, processed in a sterile closed-loop device. Because it is autologous (from your own body), the risk of rejection or adverse reaction is extremely low.
2. How long do Lipogems results last?
   Results vary by patient. Many report improvements lasting 12–24 months, with some experiencing longer-term benefits. Clinical studies are ongoing to better understand long-term outcomes.
3. What conditions respond best to Lipogems?
   Patients with early to moderate arthritis, tendon injuries, or soft tissue damage often respond well. It is less effective in advanced “bone-on-bone” arthritis, where joint replacement may be more appropriate.
4. Can Lipogems delay or replace joint replacement surgery?
   In some cases, yes. For patients with early arthritis, Lipogems may delay the need for hip replacement or knee replacement. However, it does not reverse arthritis progression. Our knee replacement options
5. How soon can I return to activity after Lipogems?
   Most patients return to walking within 24 hours, light activity in 1–2 weeks, and guided sports or exercise within a few months depending on recovery and physiotherapy.

For further information, you can contact our team or navigate the Lipogems website²