Direct Answer: Microfragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT) therapy uses a small amount of a patient's own fat tissue, mechanically processed — not enzymatically digested — into an injectable graft rich in stromal and regenerative cells. Like BMAC, it's an autologous, point-of-care treatment, and it's now detailed on the practice's new MFAT page.
How MFAT Works
A small volume of fat tissue is collected, typically from the abdomen or flank, using a minimally invasive technique. That tissue is then mechanically processed on-site — broken down through a purely mechanical (non-enzymatic) process — into a microfragmented graft containing the tissue's own stromal vascular fraction, which includes a mix of supportive and regenerative cell types. The processed graft is injected into the target area the same day.
How MFAT Differs From BMAC
Both are autologous, point-of-care orthobiologic treatments, but they draw from different tissue sources — fat versus bone marrow — and the cellular composition differs somewhat as a result. Which one, if either, is appropriate depends on the specific condition, the patient, and the treating physician's assessment.
Dr. Tortland's Perspective
MFAT is one of the newer additions to the orthobiologic toolkit I offer, and I get a fair number of questions about how it compares to BMAC. I've put together a full page walking through candidacy, procedure, recovery, and the regulatory framework we operate under. I'd encourage anyone considering this to read that page in full before a consultation.