Patients were positioned supine, and local anesthesia was administered. A small incision was made to introduce a blunt cannula attached to a Luer-lock 60-cc syringe. Klein sterile solution, containing saline and lidocaine, was injected into the subcutaneous fat layer of either the abdominal or thigh region. Subsequently, approximately 30 mL of adipose tissue was extracted. The collected lipoaspirate was processed under sterile conditions in a closed system using Rigenera® technology (HBW, Turin, Italy). Before injecting, the skin was sterilely dressed, and the injection of 2-3 mL of aMAT was performed into TMC joint with a superolateral approach, under fluoroscopic X-ray guidance and using a disposable 20G needle and a 3 mL Luer-Lock Syringe.

Patients were positioned supine, and local anesthesia was administered. A small incision was made to introduce a blunt cannula attached to a Luer-lock 60-cc syringe. Klein sterile solution, containing saline and lidocaine, was injected into the subcutaneous fat layer of either the abdominal or thigh region. Subsequently, approximately 30 mL of adipose tissue was extracted. The collected lipoaspirate was processed under sterile conditions in a closed system using Rigenera® technology (HBW, Turin, Italy). Before injecting, the skin was sterilely dressed, and the injection of 2-3 mL of aMAT was performed into TMC joint with a superolateral approach, under fluoroscopic X-ray guidance and using a disposable 20G needle and a 3 mL Luer-Lock Syringe.

The Michigan Hand Questionnaire (MHQ) is a validated instrument specifically designed to assess hand function and the impact of upper extremity conditions on quality of life. The questionnaire explores six main dimensions: general function, activities of daily living (ADL), pain, aesthetics, patient satisfaction, and work function.

The score for each domain is converted to a scale of 0 to 100, where:

100 represents the best perceived functional outcome, 0 represents the worst outcome.

For some subsections (such as pain), the scale is reversed to ensure correct interpretation of the scores.

1. The grip strength of the treated hand is measured with the JAMAR manual hydraulic dynamometer in kilograms of pressure by taking the greatest force of three successive attempts with 15 seconds of rest between each attempt.
2. The lateral grip strength (tippinch: between the thumb and index finger; tripodpinch: between the thumb, index finger and middle finger) of the treated hand is measured with the mechanical grip meter in kilograms of pressure by taking the greatest force of three successive attempts with 15 seconds of rest between each attempt.
3. Differences in the pain scale measured as a reduction in pain perception. Pain in the treated joint will be assessed by a visual analogue scale that requires the patient to respond by placing a vertical line on a 100mm scale where 0 corresponds to "no pain" and 100 "unbearable pain".
4. Evaluation of the safety and tolerability of the treatment, detected by examining the adverse events expected at local level.