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

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 that has historically been limited to either conservative management (living with the pain) or surgery. The patient underwent a nonsurgical alternative, known as the microfragmented adipose tissue procedure, to repair the injured tendon. Fat was transferred from her hips and injected into the rotator cuff tear of the shoulder. She experienced improvements in pain and function as the tendon healed, documented using ultrasound and MRI. This case supports the benefit of microfragmented adipose tissue, a newer, less invasive approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries, even those as severe as a full-thickness rotator cuff tear.