BONE STEM CELLS

Bone marrow concentrate therapy is a novel treatment method similar to PRP and is used to relieve pain and inflammation symptoms related to various musculoskeletal conditions. Bone marrow contains unique non specialized cells called stem cells. Stem cells derived from the bone marrow have the ability to heal and regenerate at a much faster pace than normal cells found elsewhere in the body. Under normal circumstances body cells renew themselves in cycles of 7 to 8 years, while bone marrow concentrate performs such a task in a matter of months.

The stem cells used are directly from the patient. Under local anesthesia and the help of X-ray guidance, the physician removes a small amount of bone marrow from the patient’s pelvis. The extracted sample of bone marrow is then centrifuged at high speeds to isolate the stem cells. These stem cells are available for immediate use and no additional steps are required. Once the stem cells are injected into the region of the injury healing begins immediately.

Procedure Timer

30-40 Mins

Pain

None to Mild Discomfort

Anaesthetic

None Required

Full Recovery

2 to 3 days

Result Duration

2 to 6 Weeks

Risks

Very little risk of infection

FAQs

What are the risks of BMAC Therapy?

Since the PRP is prepared from your own body there is very little risk of infection. With any injection there is always a small risk of infection or bleeding.

What happens during a BMAC Therapy?

There is a small amount of discomfort when the is drawn to prepare the PRP. After the blood is drawn, the skin is cleaned and sterilized and then numbed using local anesthetic similar to the dentist’s office. Pain during the procedure is usually minimal, although a minority of people will experience a deep cramping, aching discomfort which typically resolves after 10 – 15 minutes. After the procedure you will be asked to lay still with ice on the affected area for 15 minutes. The pain from the injury may be flared up for a few days to a week.

What activity can I do after a BMAC Therapy?

You should do only normal activities of daily living for the first two weeks – no additional exercise. Most people can go back to work right away. After two weeks you will begin a slow progression of activity. The exact progression depends on the injury site. For lower extremity injuries a typical progression would be stationary bike or swim at 2 weeks, elliptical trainer or stair stepper at 4 weeks. You will follow up with your provider at 6 weeks.

Is BMAC Therapy covered by insurance?

Insurers consider the treatment experimental and is not covered by most companies.

How many treatments do you need?

Most patients require only a single BMC treatment depending on the degree of the injury. This is usually followed by a single PRP injection 6 weeks later to give the body a boost.

How does BMAC work to heal?

BMC accelerates the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Unlike other cells, bone marrow concentrate cells have the ability to replicate themselves into a variety of tissue types. When injury occurs, the usual number of regenerative cells needed for tissue regeneration is often inadequate. With BMC, the concentrate of regenerative cells will provide a more robust healing of the damaged tissue and aid in growth and repair.

How long does it take the BMAC to “work”?

Most patients notice some element of improvement by 2-6 weeks after BMC. As time goes on the pain and soreness related to the injury decreases, increasing the ability to do functional daily living activities.