Fat grafting reduces symptoms of Raynaud’s phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that affects bloods vessels in your hands and feet. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, this condition affects up to 12.5 percent of men and 20 percent of women. Symptoms of this condition mainly arise when the person is feeling cold. The low temperature will cause intense spasmodic contractions of the small blood vessels. During an attack the skin might change from pale to blue. Treatments before included keeping the person warm, avoiding unnecessary stress, taking medications that relax the blood vessels and exercising regularly. These methods of treatment only lessen the pain. This recent year, research has been done that may be the solution to Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Fat grafting has been effective in diminishing the symptoms in the 13 patients that were tested. This treatment consists of using the person’s own fat and injecting it directly into the affected areas of the body. The procedure is done by taking about one fluidounce from the patient’s abdomen and injecting it into the hand and fingers. Out of the 13 patients, most got the procedure done to both hands. The testing was done on a total of 21 hands. Three patients claimed to have significant improvement in their hands following the procedure. The average pain scale dropped four points on a scale of one to ten. The results are from an 18-month time period. The patients also said to have fewer cold attacks and decreased skin ulcers.

To keep track of the results, researchers used a technique called “laser speckle imaging”. They used this to measure the blood flow in 11 hands before and after the fat grafting. After the procedure, researchers found a reduction in blood flow in six patients. Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition that may never go away. The 13 patients all underwent various forms of treatment before entering this study. Treatments included Botox injection and surgery on the nerves of the hand. In 11 of the 13 patients, their Raynaud’s phenomenon was associated with connective tissue disorders. The other two patients only had Raynaud’s.

These results appear positive but the study needs to continue longer and expand to more patients for a more effective conclusion. The conflicting results of blood flow make it a necessity to continue this study further. Researchers need to study more in depth to understand exactly how this treatment is working. New blood cell formation and decreased scarring could be a possibility.

It seems that fat grafting may be the future for Raynaud’s phenomenon. Until further research is done, treatments such as Botox could help diminish pain for anyone suffering from this condition. The doctors at WDF Cosmetic and Reconstruction Plastic Surgery could help you. Botox, injectable fillers and fat grafting are all services they offer. Even those not suffering from Raynaud’s phenomenon may still seek this procedures. If you are interested in getting plastic surgery in Des Moines, contact 515.421.4299 for more information.