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Patient with wrist joint pain

mFat Therapy for the Wrist

From £5,800
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Guide price only. Final cost is confirmed after assessment.

mFat therapy delivers your own adipose-derived stem cells to the wrist joint to address arthritis, degeneration, and chronic wrist pain. The wrist is one of the most complex joints in the body, with eight carpal bones and multiple small articulations. When these joints degenerate, the consequences for daily hand function are significant. Biological treatment with mFat offers a way to manage symptoms and preserve wrist movement before more permanent surgical options become necessary.

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Prof Paul LeeReviewed byProf Paul LeeLast reviewed 1 May 2026
Adipose tissue harvest for mFat processing

Wrist joint complexity and why preservation matters

The wrist achieves its remarkable range of movement through coordinated motion across multiple small joints. Arthritis in even one compartment can cascade into broader dysfunction as neighbouring joints compensate.

  • Radiocarpal and midcarpal arthritis limits flexion, extension, and rotation.
  • SLAC and SNAC wrist patterns (post-ligament injury arthritis) are progressive without intervention.
  • Wrist fusion eliminates pain but permanently restricts movement and grip mechanics.

Biological treatment at an earlier stage can help manage the inflammatory environment and slow the progression of arthritis, extending the useful life of the wrist joint.

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The procedure and what to expect

The procedure follows the standard mFat protocol: adipose tissue is harvested from the abdomen, processed in a closed system, and injected into the wrist joint under ultrasound guidance.

  • Single outpatient session under local anaesthetic.
  • Light wrist use within days, progressive loading over two to four weeks.
  • Pain reduction and improved range of motion develop over weeks to months.

Your specialist will assess the pattern of wrist arthritis and determine whether mFat therapy alone or a combined approach with other treatments offers the best strategy for preserving your wrist function.

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Professor Lee discussing wrist treatment options

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.

Explore Wrist Options
consulting-in-office-with-pen

Frequently Asked Questions

What wrist conditions can mFat therapy help with?

mFat is used for wrist osteoarthritis, TFCC-related degeneration, scapholunate instability with secondary arthritis, and post-traumatic wrist joint damage. It is particularly relevant for patients who want to preserve wrist movement and delay or avoid partial wrist fusion.

Why is the wrist a good candidate for biological treatment?

The wrist is made up of eight small carpal bones with multiple articulating surfaces. Once arthritis develops, the standard surgical options are limited to partial or total wrist fusion, which eliminates movement. Biological treatment aims to slow degeneration and maintain the mobility that makes the wrist functional.

How is mFat delivered to the wrist?

After harvesting and processing the adipose tissue, the concentrated cells are injected into the wrist joint under ultrasound guidance. The small, complex anatomy of the wrist makes image guidance essential for accurate placement.

What is the recovery like?

Most patients can use the wrist for light tasks within a few days. A wrist support may be recommended for one to two weeks. Progressive loading and gripping activities are reintroduced gradually, with improvement in pain and function developing over the following weeks.

Still have more specific concerns?

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