Micro-Fragmented Adipose Tissue (MFAT) Therapy:
Harnessing the Power of Your Own Cells in
Portland, Oregon
Why MFAT Therapy?
MFAT Therapy is a treatment that uses a person's own adipose (fat) tissue, which contains a connective tissue scaffolding, immune cells, and progenitor cells. The cells and tissue are collected through a minimally invasive procedure, where a small amount of fat is removed from the patient with minimal discomfort.
The collected fat is then processed to isolate, clean, and concentrate the relevant cells and tissue, and then injected into the area of the body that needs treatment.
The procedure is performed with an "off-label" use of an FDA-approved device. It is all done in the same day and is generally considered safe, as it uses the patient's own cells, reducing the risk of rejection or other complications.
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Medicinal Signaling Cells
Adipose tissue is rich in MSCs: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, more accurately called Medicinal Signaling Cells. These Cells are contained within the matrix of fat cells and collagen. They can be used to cushion and support injured and/or degenerated structures by aiding and promoting your body's own healing process.
From Your Own Body
Using the tissue and cells from your own body ensures viability and greatly reduces the risk of adverse events. Age, sex, ethnicity, and BMI do not strongly effect one's candidacy for MFAT therapy. We all have Medicinal Signaling Cells in our body that can be readily used to aide in healing. The most important factor is the severity of the condition and this will be discussed thoroughly between you and Dr. Oltman prior to any treatment.
Long Lasting Relief
For most patients, the biggest upside of MFAT is that a single treatment can work to relieve pain for years. Most studies (see below) on MFAT track patient progress over a 3-5 year span, seeing benefit all the way through. Downtime is required after any treatment so needing only a minimal number of treatments is an enormous advantage of MFAT. PRP is also commonly used in the interim to maintain results for long, multi-year, stretches.
Disclaimer
MFAT is not approved by the FDA to treat any medical condition. It falls under HCT/P regulation which allows for the use of a patient's own tissue when it's within a same day procedure and minimally manipulated. The potential benefits and risks will be discussed in detail with Dr. Oltman while considering your specific medical circumstances.
Scientific Evidence
Each Bullet Point Summary Links To A PubMed Study
What does the scientific literature show?
FAQs
How Many Treatments Will I Need?
MFAT therapy is generally done as a "stand-alone" procedure, meaning it is not repeated. The effects of the MFAT therapy are long acting and if a repeat procedure is necessary it's not until 2+ years after the last one, depending on severity. Degenerative conditions, like osteoarthritis, generally get optimal results with routine PRP treatments every 6 months following the MFAT therapy procedure.
Are The Treatments Painful?
There is often temporary discomfort/pressure associated with the treatment as fluid is placed into small spaces. We offer a full array of options to ensure and prioritize patient comfort:
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Local and Regional anesthetic
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Nerve Blocks when indicated
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Nitrous Oxide Sedation
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Pain Medication (Opioids and/or natural supplements)
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Anxiolytics (Rx or natural supplements)
The majority of patients experience minimal pain with these measures. All patients will be provided instructions for post-treatment care that outlines additional comfort measures.
Is There A Recovery Period After A Treatment?
For MFAT therapy, the recovery period is usually 5-7 days. During this period the treated area may feel increased achiness and/or stiffness that can be treated with heat applications and Tylenol (not anti-inflammatories). Opioids will also be prescribed for the first few days. You do not need to be immobilized or completely non-weight bearing but you should avoid all strenuous activity during this period. After the post-treatment soreness has resolved you may begin slowly increasing your physical activity as tolerated.
Are There Medication Restrictions During The Treatment Course?
Most medications do not need to be stopped and do not interfere with the treatments. The exception are anti-inflammatories. This includes NSAIDs (Advil, Aleve, ibuprofen, etc) and steroids (prednisone orally or steroid injections). These inhibit the process that the treatments are trying to stimulate so they should be discontinued prior to any treatment. There are some exceptions and Dr. Oltman will address your specific needs as a part of your treatment plan.
What Is The Cost Of A Treatment?
We require payment at the time of service. We provide you with a Superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. HSA accounts can also be used to pay for our services.
See our Pricing Page for the full details on treatment cost.
Are The Treatments Image-Guided?
Yes. Every treatment and every injection a patient receives is ultrasound-guided for the highest possible precision. The target is visualized and Dr. Oltman guides the needle directly into the area where the medicine needs to go for maximum results. There is no guess work. Dr. Oltman's RMSK credential is "Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound" and distinguishes him as an expert in the technique that only a few doctors in the entire state of Oregon have. Read more about Ultrasound Expertise here.