Cartilage Repair
Eleanor Hayes
Single-Session Cartilage Repair with STACi
Cartilage repair that once required two operations spanning three to six months is now completed in a single operative session lasting 2.5–4 hours through STACi.
mFat Therapy for the Elbow
From £5,800
View Price ListGuide price only. Final cost is confirmed after assessment.
mFat therapy uses your own adipose-derived stem cells to treat elbow joint conditions including osteoarthritis, chronic tendinopathy, and cartilage degeneration. The elbow is a joint with limited reconstructive options, making biological treatments that preserve existing tissue and manage inflammation especially important. At London Cartilage Clinic, mFat therapy is offered as part of a structured treatment pathway for patients whose elbow symptoms have not responded to conventional approaches.
Reviewed byProf Paul Lee MBBch, FRCS (Tr & Orth), PhDLast reviewed 1 May 2026
The elbow and why
biological treatment matters
The elbow is a hinge joint with three articulating surfaces that must work in precise coordination. Cartilage damage, whether from arthritis, trauma, or chronic overuse, disrupts this coordination and can produce stiffness, pain, and loss of grip strength.
- Elbow cartilage damage has fewer surgical solutions compared to the knee or hip.
- Chronic tendinopathy can become self-perpetuating without biological intervention.
- mFat delivers regenerative cells that support both cartilage and soft tissue repair.
For patients with elbow arthritis or tendinopathy that has not improved with physiotherapy, steroid injections, or PRP, mFat offers an additional biological option before surgical intervention is considered.
The procedure
and expected outcomes
Treatment is completed in a single session. Adipose tissue is harvested, processed, and injected into the elbow joint or around the affected tendon under image guidance.
- Minimally invasive, completed as an outpatient procedure.
- Uses autologous tissue, minimising the risk of adverse reaction.
- Improvement in pain and function typically develops over weeks to months.
At London Cartilage Clinic, mFat for the elbow is part of a broader treatment strategy. Your specialist will determine whether standalone mFat or a combined approach offers the best outcome for your condition.
You may have more options than you think
Most patients have more treatment options than they have been told
At London Cartilage Clinic we follow a structured clinical framework across four areas of treatment. Before recommending a single procedure, we assess which combination of approaches gives you the best outcome.
Preserve
Protect what you have. Slow degeneration and manage symptoms.
Repair
Fix specific damage. Torn tissue, unstable joints, structural problems.
Regenerate
Rebuild lost tissue. Biological treatments that stimulate new growth.
Replace
When other options are exhausted. Joint replacement as a last resort.
Explore the full range of treatments available for your joint. Each hub page shows every option we offer, organised by clinical approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What elbow conditions can mFat therapy help with?
mFat therapy is used for elbow osteoarthritis, chronic lateral or medial epicondylitis (tennis and golfer's elbow) that has not responded to other injections, post-traumatic cartilage damage, and degenerative joint changes following fracture or dislocation.
Why consider biological treatment for the elbow?
The elbow is a complex joint with limited surgical options for cartilage restoration. Unlike the knee, there are fewer replacement and resurfacing alternatives. Biological treatment that supports the existing tissue and manages inflammation can be particularly valuable in preserving elbow function.
How does mFat therapy compare to steroid injections for elbow tendinopathy?
Steroid injections provide short-term anti-inflammatory relief but do not support tissue repair. mFat therapy delivers regenerative cells that aim to modulate the local environment and promote healing. For chronic tendinopathy that has relapsed after steroids, mFat may offer a more sustained response.
What is the recovery after mFat treatment for the elbow?
Most patients resume light daily activities within a few days. The elbow may feel sore for one to two weeks. Gradual return to gripping and loading activities is guided by symptoms, with most patients back to full function within four to six weeks.
Still have more specific concerns?
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