Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

The procedure to obtain BMAC involves aspirating bone marrow, typically from the iliac crest of the pelvis, using a needle and syringe. The iliac crest contains the highest concentration of stem cells, and it is just under the skin, so bone marrow is easily harvested. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia to numb the area where the aspiration will occur.

The aspirated marrow – which is rich in stem cells, growth factors, and other regenerative cells – is then processed to concentrate these cellular elements. This concentrate is then used in various orthopedic and regenerative medicine procedures, to enhance tissue regeneration and healing.

Mesenchymal stem cells are immature cells that are influenced by their surroundings and have the capacity to differentiate into multiple types of cells. When injected into an injury site, a stem cell can develop into the kind of cell needed to aid in healing.

MSCs extracted from bone marrow aspirate are used to reduce inflammation and to repair and regenerate damaged tissues to decrease pain, reduce the need for medication, and restore function lost due to aging, disease, trauma, and damage of bone, cartilage and other connective tissues making them valuable to promote healing and regeneration.   

Concentrated bone marrow aspirate can be used during surgery to aid healing in various orthopedic procedures, such as spinal fusion, bone grafting, and the treatment of non-union fractures where bones fail to heal properly after a break. It can also be used as a separate treatment for joint pain and dysfunction. It can enhance tissue repair by treating inflammation and supporting cell growth.

• Avascular necrosis: Avascular necrosis is the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply. Bone marrow aspirate can be utilized to introduce MSCs into the affected area, promoting new bone formation and potentially delaying or preventing joint collapse.
• Spinal disc degeneration: In certain cases of degenerative disc disease, bone marrow aspirate may be injected into damaged spinal discs, with the goal of promoting disc repair and reducing pain.
• Ligament and tendon injuries: Bone marrow aspirate can be employed in procedures to augment the healing of torn ligaments or tendons, such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff tears.
• Muscle strains and tears: It can also be used to treat soft tissue injuries to accelerate healing.
• Meniscus allograft transplants: Bone marrow aspirate has been shown to treat cartilage damage and muscle – tendon issues.
• Osteoarthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone changes. Bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) is a safe therapeutic option to treat symptomatic osteoarthritis. BMAC can be used to stimulate cartilage repair and reduce pain and inflammation in affected joints, such as the knee, hip, or shoulder.
• Osteochondral defects: These are localized areas of cartilage and underlying bone damage in joints, often caused by trauma or repetitive stress. Bone marrow aspirate can be used in surgical procedures to promote the regeneration of both cartilage and bone at the defect site.

Bone marrow aspiration can be performed as both an office-based procedure and as an inpatient or outpatient procedure in a hospital or medical center, depending on the specific purpose, the circumstances and the resources available.