Japanese researchers are testing a surprising, minimally invasive way to repair spine fractures.

A team at Osaka Metropolitan University found that stem cells from fat tissue can repair breaks similar to those common in people with the bone-weakening disease osteoporosis.

“This simple and effective method can treat even difficult fractures and may accelerate healing,” said study co-leader Dr. Shinji Takahashi, an orthopedic surgeon and clinical lecturer at the university.