Using Your Own Fat Cells (Lipogems) to Treat Musculoskeletal Injuries

You would not be a candidate for Lipogems if

• You currently have a systemic infection.
• You suffer from an autoimmune disease.
• You currently are taking blood thinners or anti-coagulation medication.
• You are being treated for any other malignancy or blood-borne disease.
• You have an allergy to Lidocaine.
• You are currently breastfeeding or plan to begin breastfeeding in the near future.
• You have undergone previous abdominal surgery.
• You have a hematologic condition.

Lipogems is an FDA-cleared system for orthopedic and arthroscopic surgery. The best orthopedic institutions around the world trust Lipogems, as there are strong scientific evidence and positive clinical outcomes supporting its efficacy. More than 25,000 procedures have been performed worldwide.

The Lipogems minimally invasive procedure is performed in a physician’s office or a surgical setting and can be completed in less than an hour.

Like any medical procedure, there is a risk for soreness, redness, swelling, and/or pain.  These procedures require needle access (size, location, and depth vary depending on the procedure) and this may result in (but not limited to), discomfort, pain, apprehension, bruising, tenderness, bleeding, swelling, or infiltration at the injection site. Other symptoms that may occur include lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting. 

There is also a slight risk of infection at the injection site and minimal risk of adverse reactions or complications as with any other injection procedure. Since the fat is from your own body, there is little concern about disease transmission, an allergic reaction or tissue rejection. For patients with chronic medical conditions such as autoimmune, diabetes, heart or lung disease, circulatory diseases or obesity, extreme caution may be necessary.

There are rare but possible risks and complications due to fat transfer including an allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, damage to underlying structures, hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal), changes in sensation, unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures, permanent discoloration caused by a reuptured blood vessel at the treatment site, calcification, a divet in the area of the tissue harvest, peri-operative bleeding, a blood clot at the treatment or donor site, an infection, scar tissue, and a fat embolism caused by a fat injection mistakenly directed into a blood vessel, and death.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if Lipogems procedure is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any procedure is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies for your post-procedural care. It is important to follow your physician’s instructions closely regarding post-procedure activity, treatment, and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if Lipogems procedure is right for you.

The recovery process varies for each patient, but typically patients should not engage in strenuous activity for at least 1-2 weeks following the procedure.

Similar to most new technologies, the Lipogems procedure is not covered by insurance at this time. Please speak to your doctor about using your flexible spending account.

Following the procedure, your physician will apply an absorbent dressing pad and compression tape or wrap to the treated area and may recommend a compression garment or bandage for you to wear for 24-48 hours. 

Additionally, you may expect

• Some drainage from the harvesting site, which typically subsides within 24 hours.
• Mild to moderate swelling or local inflammation at the injection site and/or harvest site for a few days. Ice may be used to reduce local inflammation or swelling. Your doctor will recommend how long the ice should be used.
• Bruising at or around the site of the fat harvest.

For optimal recovery, you should follow your physician’s recommendations for post-operative care, including

• Taking medications as prescribed.
• Avoiding strenuous activity for the time period your doctor recommends. It is important to not over-exert yourself, and let your tissue start its repair process.

As with all procedures, individual results may vary. The lifetime of any procedure is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies for your post-procedural care. It is important to follow your physician’s instructions closely regarding post-procedure activity, treatment, and follow-up care to ensure the best outcome.

Lipogems provides cushioning and structural support to your body’s tissues wherever it is injected to help the healing process. The amount of time it will stay in a given area may vary from person to person.

For the vast majority of patients, Lipogems is a one-time procedure. However, the effects may vary based on the individual and their activity level. Sometimes, a separate procedure may be needed in the future. You should discuss this in further depth with your doctor during your consultation.

For a Lipogems procedure, seek experts in the musculoskeletal system, such as Dr. Kenneth Chern, M.D., F.A.A.O.S., A.A.N.A. Dr. Chern is a graduate of Princeton University, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York, and fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery at the Sports Medicine Center at Baptist Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee. He is also board-certified and a Fellow in the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and a Member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

He specializes in sports injuries of the shoulder and knee, performs arthroscopic surgery of the ankle, elbow, hip, shoulder, and knee including ACL reconstruction. Dr. Chern is also certified in Carticel cartilage transplantation.

For your consultation, be prepared to talk to your doctor. The more information you provide, the better your doctor can create a customized treatment plan for you. To help you prepare, follow these guidelines: 

• Describe how your orthopedic issue is impacting your life.
• Write down the other therapies that you have either tried or another healthcare professional has prescribed for you and how it has or has not helped your pain or issue.
• Provide your doctor with copies of any recent (no older than 6 months) x-rays, MRIs, or other imaging tests.
• Write down your personal short term and long term goals–key information about your lifestyle (home, work, activities, interests, and support system at home).
• Ask about the different options that are available.