Bone Marrow Aspiration Concentrate (BMAC)
The bone marrow concentrate is a collection of cells that is obtained from a patient’s bone marrow from the back of the pelvic bone. It contains mesenchymal stem cells and other important therapeutic cells, growth factors and proteins that stimulate the body's natural ability to improve circulation, decrease inflammation and heal injured tissues.
What Orthopedic Conditions can be treated with BMAC?
- Moderate to Severe Osteoarthritis
- Tendon degeneration, tendinitis or tendon tear
- Ligament sprain or tear
- Labrum degeneration or tear
- Soft tissue injuries from sports
- Degenerative disc disease in the spine
What is the difference between Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and BMAC?
PRP contains many helpful growth factors and proteins that support healing, but it does not include the regenerative cells that are present in bone marrow concentrate (BMAC). PRP is often used for milder conditions such as early to moderate arthritis or tendon injuries. BMAC may be recommended for tougher cases like moderate to severe arthritis or tendon injuries, or when a stronger healing response is needed.
What to Expect During a BMAC treatment?
The first step of BMAC treatment is gently collecting bone marrow from the surface of the pelvic bone (hip area). This is a minimally invasive procedure done with imaging guidance to keep it safe and precise. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and about 60-120 ml of bone marrow is drawn.
The sample is then carefully filtered and processed in our lab to concentrate the healing cells. This takes about 20–30 minutes. During this time, your doctor will review the procedure with you and answer any questions.
Next, we’ll use ultrasound or live X-ray to examine the injured area. The skin will be cleaned with antiseptic and numbed for comfort. Using imaging guidance, the concentrated bone marrow cells are then injected directly into the area that needs healing.
After the procedure, you’ll have a small dressing over the bone marrow collection site, which can be removed after 2 days. The injection site will be covered with a small band aid that can be removed after 24 hours.
It’s normal to feel some soreness. You can use ice for the first 2-3 days if needed. Before you leave, we’ll provide detailed instructions for recovery and post-procedure care.
What to Expect After BMAC therapy?
Most people are able to return to normal daily activities within 2-3 days after the BMAC treatment, and many go back to work the next day. We’ll ask you to avoid heavy exercise for about a week to allow the area to heal. If you feel sore after the injection, you can use ice, Tylenol, or prescribed pain medication for relief.
About 1-2 weeks after your treatment, your doctor will design a personalized physical therapy program to help you recover and rebuild strength safely. Most patients are able to return to sports or more demanding physical activities within 6-8 weeks, though more severe injuries may take longer - sometimes over 3 months. Even in those cases, your rehabilitation will begin gradually within the first couple of weeks so your body stays conditioned during the healing process.
What are the Possible side effects of a BMAC injection?
Side effects are the same side effects associated with other injections like pain from the injection site, bleeding, infection, and nerve injury. The safety of BMAC have been proven in many studies and is associated with minimal to no risks.
