Lipogems Sport
Approved by the FDA and awarded “Best New Technology in Sports Medicine,” Lipogems orthopedics is now an essential treatment for professional athletes and advanced sports enthusiasts. Thanks to the use of autologous adipose tissue, Lipogems naturally regenerates injuries to the knee, shoulder, and hip, as well as chondropathies and tendinopathies. It promotes deep healing, reduces pain, and optimizes recovery. Increasingly adopted by leading sports medical teams, Lipogems is used both to prevent joint degeneration and to support post-operative recovery, reducing the risk of recurrence and improving long-term functional outcomes. In a field where recovery time is critical, Lipogems stands out as a natural, regenerative, and scientifically validated solution. It is also available in Milan at Image Regenerative Clinic, with documented case studies and positive feedback from high-level athletes. Sports medicine has already changed direction: today, we no longer replace—we regenerate.
Treatment Overview
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About the Treatment
Sports Injuries Treated with Lipogems
Lipogems Sport is the advanced solution for treating sports injuries that are complex and resistant to traditional therapies. Tendinopathies: tennis elbow, Achilles, patellar and rotator cuff tendinitis for complete functional recovery. Cartilage lesions: knee, hip, ankle chondropathies to avoid destructive interventions. Chronic sprains: ankle and knee instability with persistent pain and functional limitation. Muscle injuries: recurrent strains and tears that compromise athletic performance. Overuse syndrome: training overload with chronic joint pain. Early arthritis: joint degeneration in young athletes to preserve sports career.
Advantages for Professional and Amateur Athletes
Lipogems Sport offers unique advantages for athletes of every level requiring rapid and effective recovery. Reduced recovery times: return to sports activity 40-50% faster than conservative therapies. Lasting healing: real tissue repair that prevents recurrence and chronicity. Optimized performance: joint function improvement beyond pre-injury level. Avoid surgery: non-invasive alternative for lesions traditionally requiring intervention. Anti-doping compatibility: completely natural treatment without WADA-prohibited substances. Career preservation: maintaining competitive activity avoiding prolonged stops. Prevention: possibility of preventive use for overloaded joints.
Sport-Specific Protocols by Discipline
Each sport requires personalized Lipogems protocols based on specific biomechanical demands. Contact sports: rugby, soccer, basketball for direct trauma and joint overload. Endurance sports: running, cycling, triathlon for knee, hip, foot overuse. Technical sports: tennis, golf for epicondylitis and repetitive motion injuries. Extreme sports: skiing, snowboarding, surfing for high-energy acute trauma. Gymnastics and dance: spine, hip, ankle overload in young athletes. Strength sports: weightlifting, crossfit for tendinopathies from excessive load. Aquatic sports: swimming for shoulder problems and hyperlordotic back pain.
Optimal Timing: When to Intervene
Timing of Lipogems treatment is crucial to maximize results in athletes. Acute phase: within 72 hours of injury to limit damage and accelerate healing. Subacute phase: 1-4 weeks to optimize ongoing repair process. Chronicity: beyond 3 months to reactivate regenerative processes in degenerated tissues. Prevention: during overload periods to protect at-risk joints. Pre-season: athletic preparation to optimize joint condition. Post-season: recovery after competitive season to repair accumulated wear. Maintenance: periodic monitoring for athletes with predisposition to specific pathologies.
Integration with Athletic Preparation and Rehabilitation
Lipogems Sport integrates perfectly into modern athletic preparation and rehabilitation programs. Biomechanical evaluation: athletic gesture study to identify predisposing factors. Specific physiotherapy: personalized rehabilitation protocols to maximize treatment benefits. Return to sport: progressive and safe sport-specific gesture return programs. Performance monitoring: advanced technology use to evaluate functional recovery. Secondary prevention: technical and training modifications to avoid recurrence. Team approach: collaboration between sports medicine doctor, physiotherapist, athletic trainer. Periodization: treatment integration into athlete's training cycles.
Results in Elite Sports Medicine
Results of Lipogems in sports medicine are documented and internationally recognized. Elite athletes: use in Serie A, NBA, NFL with success rates exceeding 90%. Injury reduction: 60% decrease in recurrence in treated athletes vs controls. Performance metrics: objective improvement in strength, endurance, agility post-treatment. Return to play: 85% of athletes return to pre-injury level within expected times. Satisfaction: over 95% of professional athletes would repeat treatment. Career longevity: significant extension of athletic life in high-impact sports. International standard: adoption by major global sports organizations.
Combinations with Advanced Sports Therapies
Lipogems Sport can be integrated with other therapies for athletes for synergistic results. Lipogems + PRP: growth factor combination for complex lesions. Lipogems + Shock Waves: additional mechanical stimulation for chronic tendinopathies. Lipogems + Ozone Therapy: enhanced anti-inflammatory and oxygenating action. Lipogems + Hyperthermia: improved local vascularization for accelerated recovery. Lipogems + Magnetic Fields: stimulation of bone and cartilage regeneration. Lipogems + Cryotherapy: post-treatment inflammation management for optimal comfort. Sequential protocols: multiple therapy programming for resistant pathologies.
Understanding Athletic Recovery: Beyond Traditional Medicine
Athletic recovery requires approaches that address the unique demands of competitive sports. Performance demands: how elite athletics push joints and tissues beyond normal limits. Competitive timeline: pressure to return quickly while ensuring complete healing. Career implications: how chronic injuries can end promising athletic careers prematurely. Training load: cumulative stress effects on tissues requiring regenerative intervention. Biomechanical factors: sport-specific movement patterns creating predictable injury patterns. Regenerative advantage: how Lipogems addresses tissue quality rather than just symptoms.
Why Athletes Choose Image for Lipogems Sport
International Recognition: "Best New Technology in Sports Medicine" 2016 confirms excellence.
Elite Experience: Treatment of Serie A professionals, Olympic, international athletes.
Sports Protocols: Specific approaches for every discipline and athletic level.
Specialized Team: Sports medicine doctors with advanced regenerative medicine expertise.
Documented Results: Consolidated case series with performance follow-up and athlete satisfaction.
Plan Your Treatment
Schedule a video consultation or a call from the clinic
Frequently Asked Questions
How long to return to competition?
Depends on the injury, but generally athletes return 40-50% faster than traditional therapies. For chronic tendinopathies 4-8 weeks, for cartilage lesions 6-12 weeks.
Is it compatible with anti-doping controls?
Yes, Lipogems is completely natural using your own adipose tissue. It contains no WADA-prohibited substances and is used by professional athletes worldwide without issues.
Does it really improve sports performance?
Yes, beyond healing the injury, Lipogems often improves joint function beyond pre-injury level. Many athletes report superior performance after treatment.
Related Articles
Sport Trauma
The Benefits of Regenerative Medicine for Joints
Regenerative medicine interventions using Lipogems microfractured adipose tissue transplantation has exceeded 100,000 cases. Not only professional athletes and sports champions but also ordinary individuals have halted the progression of osteoarthritis through regenerative medicine. Professor Carlo Tremolada, Scientific Director of Image - Regenerative Clinic, discussed this during an interview with Radio RTL. The ability to enjoy walking, playing padel, golf, holding grandchildren, or performing any movement can be compromised when joints begin to cause pain due to age or sports trauma. Osteoarthritis is a common condition - in 2021, according to RIAP (Italian Arthroplasty Registry) data, there were nearly 30,000 hip replacements, 20,000 knee replacements, and almost 1,200 shoulder replacements performed. Approximately 53,000 Italians underwent joint replacement surgery in 2021, primarily due to advanced osteoarthritis. This represents the disease stage where any joint movement becomes painful: climbing stairs, opening a water bottle, brushing teeth, sitting, walking, or putting on shoes become impossible movements. When is regenerative medicine indicated? Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease: in its initial and intermediate phases, regenerative medicine using Lipogems microfractured adipose tissue transplantation has demonstrated significant benefits, even in elderly and very elderly patients. The process involves aspirating adipose tissue containing mesenchymal stem cells, microfracturing it using the Lipogems method, and then injecting it into the affected joint(s). The microfracturing process significantly enhances the beneficial action of stem cells, promoting not only articular cartilage regeneration but also the anatomical and functional recovery of all joint structures (ligaments, bone capsule, menisci). This regeneration and 'rejuvenation' process begins with the injection and continues its action long-term, achieving maximum benefits after one year. Can we consider it a preventive therapy for osteoarthritis? Undoubtedly, regenerative medicine using the Lipogems technique is rapidly changing the approach to treating osteoarthritis, allowing postponement of joint replacement surgery, if it becomes necessary at all. Rather than replacing parts, regenerative medicine promotes and stimulates cells' natural ability to regenerate and build new cartilage tissue in joints. When is the right time for regenerative medicine intervention? There is no specific age to begin prevention, but prevention inherently involves caring for your joints before damage occurs. Orthopedic scientific societies indicate Lipogems therapy as a treatment before proceeding to prosthetics. Clinical practice in young athletes, who begin experiencing joint problems as early as age twenty due to overuse and meniscal injuries, shows that Lipogems injections promote regeneration of joint and meniscal damage, enabling them to return to high and elite-level sports. The Lipogems procedure for adipose tissue harvesting and injection takes approximately thirty minutes, depending on the number of joints to be treated, followed by a few hours of observation before returning home and resuming activities. The only precaution is to avoid overloading the joint in the first 24-48 hours by avoiding sports, though other social activities are permitted. No rehabilitation is required post-procedure. Results develop progressively over time, and Lipogems treatment is repeatable.
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Sport Trauma
Sports Injuries: When is Lipogems Used?
The Lipogems method can be used to treat various sports injuries, including fractures, sprains, tendon and cartilage injuries, with the goal of accelerating healing, reducing pain and swelling, and ensuring rapid and complete recovery. We discuss this with Professor Carlo Tremolada, Scientific Director of Image Regenerative Clinic. Lipogems for Sports: What Are the Benefits? Lipogems is an innovative technique that utilizes mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue to accelerate healing of sports injuries. It is a safe and effective treatment that can help athletes, both professional and amateur, recover quickly and more completely after trauma or injury, including overuse injuries. The Lipogems treatment involves aspirating a small amount of fat from a body area, such as the abdomen. The fat is then microfractured to enhance the bioavailability and clinical efficacy of the present stem cells and other regenerative factors, which are then injected into the injured area. Mesenchymal stem cells are cells with the ability to differentiate into various cell types, such as muscle cells and cartilage cells. When injected into the injured area using the Lipogems technique, mesenchymal stem cells remain in the healing zone for many months, promoting repair and regeneration of damaged tissues. Lipogems offers several advantages over other sports injury treatments, including minimal procedure invasiveness, reduced recovery time, and the ability to stimulate natural tissue regeneration. The treatment utilizes the anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties of mesenchymal stem cells, which can help reduce pain and inflammation while promoting tissue healing. It is important to note that Lipogems is a medical procedure that must be performed by a qualified physician with specific training in the technology.
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Press
From Golfer to Golfer
I am Carlo Tremolada, Scientific Director of Image Regenerative Clinic in Milan. As a passionate golfer, throughout this year I have had the opportunity to discuss, from golfer to golfer, in this journal, the possibilities of regenerative medicine. Regenerative medicine represents an innovative opportunity to restore health, wellness, and functionality through the utilization of mesenchymal cells present in adipose tissue. This methodology, based on Lipogems technology, enables the harnessing of natural regenerative capabilities of one's own adipose tissue, preserving its structure and biological properties. For athletes, and particularly for golfers, this therapeutic approach can be especially effective in treating joint and musculoskeletal conditions, enabling faster and more natural recovery. Golf&Tourism (Wellness)
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Sport Trauma
Golf and Knee Pain: Regenerative Medicine to Continue Playing Golf
Golf is a recommended sport for those over 65, individuals who are not in perfect musculoskeletal condition, and those with knee problems. Precisely because golf can be played even when the musculoskeletal system is not in perfect condition, it's important to be careful and avoid aggravating existing conditions. Why Does Knee Pain Occur? Twisting, rotation, and loading of the knees increase during swing phases, especially when the movement is not executed perfectly. Amateur golfers, in particular, may experience increased knee pain both on the green and in daily life. In those over 65, knee pain causes can vary: osteoarthritis, chondropathy (cartilage deterioration covering the knee's bone components), tendinitis and tendinopathy, overuse stress, trauma from the past, and meniscus pathologies. Regenerative Medicine and Knee Pain: How Does It Work? Medical research has demonstrated that damaged joint tissues can be aided in regeneration through regenerative medicine treatments (orthobiology). Mesenchymal stem cells present in adipose tissue promote natural tissue repair, enhancing joint functional recovery through the secretion of growth factors and bioactive molecules. The Lipogems procedure involves harvesting adipose tissue through microliposuction, followed by a micro-fragmentation process that preserves cellular integrity and extracellular matrix. The processed tissue, rich in mesenchymal stem cells, is then injected into target joints. The procedure is performed in an outpatient setting in approximately one hour, requiring no hospitalization. Patients can return to normal activities after a brief observation period, with temporary soreness resolving in 3-4 days. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections: What Happens Post-Treatment? Once injected, mesenchymal stem cells exert anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects, promoting vascularization and nutrient supply necessary for tissue repair. This process leads to the formation of new functional tissue that progressively improves joint functionality. Lipogems: How Long Do Results Last? Lipogems treatment benefits manifest gradually and can continue improving for over a year post-treatment. Efficacy varies based on individual patient factors. In early osteoarthritis, a single injection may be sufficient, while advanced cases might require treatment repetition every 2-3 years. For golfers, this approach enables maintained athletic activity without pain for extended periods.
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Sport Trauma
Sports and Overuse Injuries: Is Lipogems Infiltrative Therapy Truly Effective?
The use of MFAT (Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue) Lipogems as infiltrative therapy in athletes has become an increasingly prevalent and promising treatment in recent years, both for preventing and reducing the common risks of overuse arthritis in athletes, and for muscular and joint recovery after intense training and competition seasons. What Science Says Numerous scientific studies have established the indications of Lipogems MFAT tissue for athletes, demonstrating that it is an innovative regenerative medicine technology effective for muscle injuries, tendon injuries, ligament injuries, arthritis, fractures, cartilage damage, and pain. The infiltration of Lipogems tissue into injured or damaged tissue has demonstrated promotion of healing and regeneration of injured muscle, ligament, and tendon tissues in athletes. Lipogems micro-fragmented adipose tissue contains mesenchymal stem cells, growth factors, and other selected cells with high regenerative potential that can promote repair and regeneration of damaged tissue, along with anti-inflammatory properties. In treating arthritic pain and damage, MFAT Lipogems has extensive applications in sports medicine, due to its anti-inflammatory properties and regenerative effects on cartilage damaged by arthritic disease. When properly harvested and prepared with the Lipogems system, micro-fragmented adipose tissue MFAT is infiltrated into the joint to reduce inflammation, promote cartilage healing, improve joint health and stability, and accelerate recovery following other procedures, fractures, and microfractures. In athletes suffering from pain, such as that caused by joint or muscular conditions, the use of MFAT Lipogems has proven effective in reducing inflammation, improving limb functionality, and alleviating pain. The results of Lipogems treatment may vary depending on individual conditions and specific athlete needs. To learn more about how Lipogems regenerative technology can help faster recovery after sports trauma, contact us for a personalized consultation.
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Sport Trauma
Lipogems® Awarded Among Best Sports Medicine Technologies of 2016
An annual recognition that in 2016 honors inventors, engineering teams, physicians, and companies that have created the most innovative, durable, and practical products and technologies for treating injured athletes across various sectors: from sports to industrial, military, or healthcare settings. Winning Technology: The Lipogems® System Inventor: Professor Carlo Tremolada The Lipogems® system is a closed device that enables partial washing and micro-fragmentation of autologous adipose tissue. The obtained Lipogems® product can be used to fill, repair, and reconstruct soft tissue defects. Under ultrasound guidance, processed Lipogems® can be injected directly into damaged tissue to provide structural grafting and regenerative scaffolding to the affected area. Utilizing the well-established regenerative properties of autologous adipose tissue, Lipogems® is FDA-compliant. By maintaining the structural characteristics of the tissue, the Lipogems® product is considered minimally manipulated, falling under CFR1271.361 exemptions, allowing physicians to use the device in a single surgical procedure under current FDA regulations. The viscous properties of the processed tissue allow Lipogems® to be injected through a small blunt cannula needle which, while maintaining the intact vasculostromal niche, provides a naturally derived regenerative matrix. The adhesive property of adipocytes enables Lipogems® to remain in the injection site, providing both structural support and tissue remodeling. The adipose layer contains cells and tissues with regenerative properties that are optimized following the Lipogems® system's washing and microfragmentation process. This tissue exhibits antimicrobial and immunomodulatory characteristics and natural anti-inflammatory effects, potentially providing a natural and lasting alternative to steroids and a regenerative alternative or adjunct to surgical procedures.
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Press
Golfers: Preventing Inflammation is Part of the Game
RexonAge® technology opens new perspectives in rapid and painless rehabilitation for golfers. With over 100,000 Italian enthusiasts, golf represents a sport that combines personal competition and outdoor activity. The importance of proper biomechanics in golf is often underestimated, leading to sport-specific pathologies. Epicondylitis – commonly known as golfer's elbow – represents one of the most frequent issues, along with pathologies of the big toe, hip, and spine. Periods of forced inactivity due to these pathologies can be significantly reduced through modern rehabilitation technologies. Istituto Image in Milan offers treatment with RexonAge®, an advanced electromedical device that provides effective anti-inflammatory and anti-edema action. The device utilizes specific bioelectric technologies to accelerate the healing process and reduce pain, enabling a faster return to sports activity.
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Sport Trauma
Orthopedic Lipogems - The New Frontier in Sports Medicine
An article from Orthopedics This Week, the most authoritative editorial in Orthopedics, highlights professional athlete Brian Farber's case treated with Lipogems at San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group. The San Diego Sockers player spent two years away from the field due to a patellar tendon tear before finding relief through Prof. Tremolada's Lipogems method, administered by Dr. Rogers. The Lipogems system utilizes adipose tissue harvested through lipoaspiration to create injectable material. The technology preserves adipose tissue integrity, maintaining its vascular network and extracellular matrix, supporting enhanced tissue integration. Unlike systems using enzymatic Stromal Vascular Fraction (SVF), Lipogems is an FDA-cleared device for adipose tissue processing, applicable in orthopedic, arthroscopic, neurosurgical, general, and reconstructive surgery. The Lipogems device consists of a transparent cylinder with filters and spheres for adipose tissue micro-fragmentation. The filters are equipped with Luerlock connectors to attach syringes containing lipoaspirate and processed tissue collection. Lipogems' unique advantage is maintaining the complete regenerative environment of adipose tissue, enhancing cellular vitality and regenerative capacity. The present mesenchymal cells require support from other cells and proteins to exert their healing benefits. In athlete Farber's specific case, following Lipogems treatment, a rehabilitation program was followed including physical therapy, progressive strengthening, and BEMER technology. After only six months of treatment, the athlete returned to professional play, in stark contrast to the previous two years of ineffective therapies.
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Sport Trauma
Simone Origone: The World's Fastest Man Chose Lipogems
Interview by our osteopath Dr. Stancanelli before the second procedure Simone Origone, 5-time Speed Skiing World Champion, has returned to Prof. Tremolada for Lipogems treatment on his right knee. Interview by our Osteopath Diego Stancanelli. Following last year's procedure on his left knee, Simone Origone is repeating the Lipogems treatment on the other joint. Lipogems Knee Treatment The primary orthopedic indications for Lipogems treatment include degenerative processes of articular cartilage due to osteoarthritis, degeneration and inflammatory lesions of the menisci and other peri-articular tendinous and ligamentous structures, which cause pain and limited joint function. Advanced cases can significantly benefit from the infiltration, which represents an alternative to surgical intervention or prosthetic replacement. The entire procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. It takes approximately one hour and requires no post-operative hospitalization. After adipose tissue harvesting and processing, articular infiltrations are immediately performed using either standard technique or ultrasound guidance to precisely identify the target structure. The Lipogems procedure preserves adipose tissue integrity and its vascular network, ensuring a high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells that promote tissue regeneration. Interview Video
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Sport Trauma
Congratulations to Simone Origone - World Champion for the Sixth Time at Age 39
We congratulate an exceptional athlete who, after 6 years from his last world title, has returned as the best in speed skiing thanks in part to Prof. Tremolada and Lipogems technology. An Exceptional Achievement Simone Origone, 39, has won the world title in speed skiing for the sixth time in his career. The athlete underwent Lipogems treatment to address knee pain. Following excellent results from the left knee procedure in 2017, Simone Origone repeated the Lipogems treatment on his other joint less than a year ago. In May 2018, he returned to Prof. Tremolada for Lipogems infiltration in his right knee. On March 23rd, he reclaimed his position as the undisputed king of his discipline, reaching a speed of 228.862 km/h. Lipogems Knee Treatment The primary orthopedic indications for Lipogems treatment include degenerative processes of articular cartilage due to osteoarthritis, degeneration and inflammatory lesions of menisci and other peri-articular tendinous and ligamentous structures causing pain and limited joint functionality. Advanced cases can significantly benefit from the infiltration, which presents an alternative to surgical intervention or prosthetic replacement. The entire procedure can be performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. The duration is approximately one hour and requires no post-operative hospitalization. Following adipose tissue harvesting and processing, articular infiltrations are immediately performed using standard technique or under ultrasound guidance to precisely identify target structures. Adipose tissue processed with Lipogems maintains intact mesenchymal cells and extracellular matrix, promoting tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation. Interview with Simone Origone - May 2018
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