A pilot study to evaluate micro-fragmented adipose tissue injection under ultrasound guidance for the treatment of refractory rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury.

There were no significant adverse events throughout the study period. WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were significantly lower 6 and 12 months post-procedure (P < .05). Of those who remained in the trial, clinically meaningful changes (≥30% decrease) in WUSPI, NRS, and BPI-I7 scores were observed in 77.8%, 77.8%, and 66.7% of participants, respectively. All but one participant reported improvement in clinical status. MFAT injection under ultrasound guidance is potentially a safe and efficacious treatment for refractory shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff disease in wheelchair users with SCI. A larger, randomized controlled trial has been initiated.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03167138.