Could your own fat ease shoulder arthritis pain?
NCT ID NCT04929951
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Aug 18, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This study compares injections of a patient's own processed fat tissue (MFAT) against standard steroid shots for shoulder osteoarthritis. Researchers will track pain, function, and quality of life in 48 adults aged 25-75. The goal is to see if the fat injection provides better or longer-lasting relief.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Micro fragmented adipose tissue (fat) injection
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a longer-lasting, natural alternative to steroid injections for shoulder arthritis pain.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early Phase 1 trial, so results are preliminary. The fat injection may not work better than steroids, and there are risks like infection or injection-site pain.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
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About 48 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jul 2022
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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25 to 75 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 25 and 75 years-old * Diagnosis of pre-existing osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint * Working understanding of the English language and able to fully understand the procedure * Capable of providing informed consent * Able to complete online, in-person or phone surveys for the purposes of follow-up * Capable of understanding pre- and post-procedure care instructions * Ambulatory at baseline * Previous trial and failure of conservative therapy consisting of a minimum of 6 weeks of physical therapy and trial of anti-inflammatory medications if not contraindicated, with or without concomitant bracing and/or injections. Exclusion Criteria: * Age \< 25 or \> 75 years old * Radiographs demonstrating either no, little osteoarthritis, severe(bone on bone) osteoarthritis * Prior total or partial joint replacement surgery or surgery involving cartilage regeneration * Previous cortisone, PRP or Hyaluronic acid intra-articular injection within the last 3 months * Co-morbidity with the rheumatologic condition, inflammatory arthritis * Currently undergoing immunomodulatory therapy * Uncontrolled endocrine disorder * BMI \>40 or joint space not visible by ultrasound * Current diagnosis of osteomyelitis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1, -2) and/or hepatitis C (HCV), infection, and poorly controlled diabetes (HgA1C \>7.0) * Pregnancy or planned pregnancy * previous stem cell injection into treatment joint * Patient scheduled to undergo any concomitant shoulder surgical procedures or other surgery which may affect outcomes. * Coagulopathy or anticoagulant treatment * Chronic pain involving multiple body parts or opioid medication management * Diagnosis of fibromyalgia * Concomitant massive(2 tendons with retraction), complete rotator cuff tendon tear
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Stanford University
RECRUITINGStanford, California, 94305, United States
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