Rhizarthrosis is a degenerative disease of the thumb joint, particularly painful and debilitating, primarily affecting women over 40 and during menopause. A clinical study demonstrates that Lipogems regenerative medicine not only resolves pain but promotes cartilage repair and progressive healing from rhizarthrosis.
We discuss this with Image Regenerative Clinic experts, Professor Carlo Tremolada, Scientific Director, and Dr. Laura Loda, hand surgeon, who are the authors of the clinical study.
Can rhizarthrosis be treated without surgery?
In the clinical study conducted on 45 patients (36 females and 9 males aged 41-77 years) at Image Regenerative Clinic in Milan, Lipogems regenerative medicine with MFAT adipose tissue transplantation demonstrated promotion of cartilage healing in thumb joints affected by rhizarthrosis. The Lipogems autologous fat transplantation, performed through intra-articular injection, proved effective in both early-stage and advanced severe thumb osteoarthritis.
Traditional therapies include conservative treatments (non-surgical) with intra-articular corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, custom splints, physiotherapy, and surgical interventions (trapeziectomy, prosthesis, arthrodesis) indicated when conservative therapy proves ineffective. Both conservative and surgical treatments provide significant symptom relief but with functional limitations and cannot promote cartilage regeneration or prevent the underlying arthritic process.
How does Lipogems regenerative therapy work for rhizarthrosis?
Lipogems regenerative therapy for rhizarthrosis is performed through intra-articular injection of autologous adipose tissue harvested via minor liposuction from the patient's abdomen or thighs and microfragmented using a specific device (Lipogems - patented by Professor Carlo Tremolada).
As demonstrated by extensive scientific literature, autologous adipose tissue contains high levels of progenitor cells (pericytes, mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors) which, when injected into the thumb joint, promote cartilage tissue formation. Additionally, the injected Lipogems tissue acts as a cushion for the worn joint, preventing direct contact and abrasion between articular surfaces, reducing pain. Study results demonstrate that following the post-operative rehabilitation program is essential for optimal regenerative treatment outcomes.
Lipogems regenerative treatment can be repeated if rhizarthrosis symptoms recur, including treatment of the other hand or arthritic pain in other joints, without requiring repeated liposuction for autologous fat harvesting. Through Lipobank, patients can cryopreserve their fat tissue for future use.
