The Full Answer
MFAT is prepared by harvesting a small amount of a patient's own fat (typically from the abdomen or flank) under local anesthesia, then mechanically — not enzymatically — processing it in the same visit into an injectable graft rich in stromal and regenerative cells. Because the tissue is autologous and only mechanically processed, it falls within the same same-day, same-surgical-procedure regulatory pathway as PRP and bone marrow aspirate.
What the Current Evidence Shows
MFAT is newer to U.S. orthopedic practice than PRP or BMAC, so the evidence base is smaller, but early studies and case series report meaningful pain and function improvement in knee osteoarthritis, generally with a favorable safety profile since it uses a patient's own tissue.
Who May Benefit
When Surgery May Be More Appropriate
Patients with advanced, bone-on-bone arthritis or significant structural damage that hasn't responded to a full course of conservative and orthobiologic care are less likely to benefit from MFAT and should discuss surgical options.
Dr. Tortland's Perspective
Dr. Tortland considers MFAT a reasonable option for appropriately selected patients, particularly those who haven't had an adequate response to PRP alone, but he's clear that it's not a universal upgrade over PRP or BMAC — the right choice depends on the specific joint, severity, and prior treatment history.