People living with spinal cord injury can experience lasting pain relief through the injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) for rotator cuff disease, new research has revealed.
A team of specialists in regenerative rehabilitation have shown through a pilot study that MFAT can deliver benefits to wheelchair users who experience shoulder problems.
In the study, nearly 80 per cent of participants saw a meaningful decrease in pain symptoms through an ultrasound-guided injection of MFAT, and all but one reported some improvement in pain and function.
Scores also declined steadily over the first three months for all metrics, and over the entire year for the BPI-17 pain metric, suggesting that this intervention has long-lasting effects.
“These results show that the minimally invasive injection of micro-fragmented adipose tissue is a safe and efficacious option for wheelchair users with shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease,” says Dr Gerard Malanga, author of the study and visiting scientist at Kessler Foundation.
Shoulder pain is a common occurrence among wheelchair users with spinal cord injury because they rely solely on their upper limbs to perform everyday tasks.
Often, pain is caused by soft-tissue injuries such as damage to rotator cuff tendons. Many non-surgical therapies for shoulder pain exist, including pain medication, physical therapy, and equipment modifications, but these have shown limited efficacy.
Persistent shoulder pain can significantly lessen quality of life, and if conservative therapies fail, shoulder surgery is frequently the only option, which comes with its own set of risks and potential setbacks.
Through the single-group pilot study, researchers explored the efficacy of a minimally invasive biological intervention involving MFAT, which has a potential source of bioactive and regenerative components for orthopaedic conditions and may provide cushioning that can improve function and alleviate pain caused by rotator cuff injuries.
Ten wheelchair users with chronic spinal cord injury who had moderate to severe shoulder pain for more than six months caused by refractory rotator cuff disease participated in the study.
All received an injection of MFAT and were evaluated at six and 12 months after treatment.
Evaluation metrics included the 11-point Numerical Rating Scale, the Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index, Brief Pain Inventory pain interference items (BPI-17), Patient Global Impression of Change, ultrasound and physical examinations, and adverse events.
“Based on the success of our study, a randomised controlled study with a larger number of subjects has been initiated in this patient population through funding from the New Jersey Commission for Spinal Cord Research,” says Dr Malanga.
“We feel there is great potential for this therapy to help people with shoulder pain manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.”
