Microfragmented fat

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

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 cellsThe 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.