What is Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)?

At Pain Treatment Institute, we offer Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), a stem cell therapy that is considered 100% natural. BMAC leverages the body’s own healing capabilities by concentrating and utilizing stem cells and growth factors from the bone marrow harvested from the iliac crest of the pelvis. This approach not only provides a natural and minimally invasive treatment option but also targets the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction in bones and joints. BMAC is rich in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and growth factors that play crucial roles in tissue regeneration and repair. Dr. Syed at Pain Treatment Institute recommends BMAC in more complex joint and bone issues such as osteoarthritis, bone fractures that are slow to heal, and conditions requiring the regeneration of substantial tissue. The extraction and preparation of bone marrow for BMAC is a sophisticated process that necessitates advanced training, substantial experience, and access to a surgical procedure room. This makes it ideally suited for specialized settings like the Pain Treatment Institute, where expertise and facilities align to provide a safe and effective treatment experience.

What Conditions are treated with BMAC?

BMAC is an advanced regenerative treatment that has shown promising results in numerous studies to help accelerate healing and repair in musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions, particularly those involving joints and bones. Here is a list of common conditions that can be treated with BMAC:

• Osteoarthritis – BMAC is commonly used to treat arthritis in various joints, including knees, hips, shoulders, and hands, helping to reduce pain and improve joint function
• Tendon Injurie – Conditions like tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and rotator cuff tears are treated with BMAC to promote healing of the tendon fibers
• Ligament Injuries – BMAC can help repair torn ligaments, such as ACL tears in the knee, by stimulating the natural healing processes
• Bone Fractures – BMAC can accelerate the healing of non-union fractures—bones that have failed to heal properly after an initial break
• Cartilage Damage – Damage to cartilage in joints such as the knee, shoulder, and ankle can be treated with BMAC to encourage the growth of new cartilage cells
• Spinal Conditions- Conditions such as degenerative disc disease and certain types of chronic lower back pain caused by spinal issues may benefit from BMAC
• Muscle Injuries – BMAC can aid the recovery of muscle injuries by promoting the regeneration of muscle fibers and reducing inflammation
• Hip and Shoulder Labral Tears- BMAC therapy can be effective for treating tears in the labrum of the hip or shoulder, helping to alleviate pain and improve joint stability
• Plantar Fasciitis- BMAC therapy can be used to reduce inflammation and promote healing of the plantar fascia

How does BMAC Therapy Work?

The process begins with the extraction of a small quantity of bone marrow, typically from the iliac crest of the pelvis, using a needle. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and, if necessary, sedation can be administered to ensure patient comfort. The marrow extraction is minimally invasive and generally well-tolerated by patients. Once the bone marrow is collected, it is placed into a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the marrow at high speeds to separate and concentrate the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and other vital growth factors, to create BMAC.

The concentration process enhances the natural properties of the marrow and significantly enriches the sample in cells that are crucial for healing and regeneration. The concentrated BMAC is precisely injected into the injured or affected area, commonly including joints like knees and hips, as well as tendons and ligaments that are damaged. The application is guided by fluoroscopy, ensuring that the injection is accurately delivered to the site needing repair. The mesenchymal stem cells in BMAC are particularly potent as they have the ability to differentiate into various types of tissue, including bone, cartilage, muscle, and fat. This ability, combined with the growth factors that stimulate tissue repair and modulate inflammation, allows BMAC to effectively initiate and accelerate the body’s natural healing processes. 5/13/2024 6 Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

What are the Benefits of BMAC?

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) therapy offers several significant benefits as a regenerative treatment approach, particularly in the field of orthopedics and pain management. Here are some of the key advantages of using BMAC:

• Natural Healing – BMAC utilizes the patient’s own stem cells derived from bone marrow and leverages the body’s inherent ability to repair and regenerate damaged tissues without the need for synthetic materials or donor cells
• Minimally Invasive – The procedure for obtaining bone marrow aspirate is minimally invasive compared to traditional surgical interventions
• Reduced Pain and Inflammation – BMAC is rich in growth factors that help modulate inflammation and pain at the site of injury. Patients often experience a decrease in chronic pain and an improvement in functional mobility after treatment
• Versatility – BMAC can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendonitis, ligament injuries, bone fractures, and even certain spinal conditions
• Enhanced Tissue Regeneration – The high concentration of mesenchymal stem cells and other regenerative cells in BMAC supports the repair and regeneration of various tissue type that includes bone, cartilage, muscle, and tendon
• Low Risk of Complications – Since BMAC is derived from the patient’s own cells, there is a minimal risk of immune rejection or allergic reactions.
• Improved Outcomes in Surgery – When used in conjunction with surgical procedures, BMAC has been shown to improve healing outcomes, reduce the likelihood of complications, and accelerate the recovery process.
• Potential to Reduce Dependency on Pain Medication – By effectively addressing the underlying causes of pain through tissue regeneration, BMAC can reduce a patient’s reliance on pain Cost-Effectiveness – In the long term, BMAC therapy can be cost-effective by potentially reducing the need for more extensive surgery and by decreasing long-term medication costs.
• Regulatory Compliance – BMAC adheres to current FDA guidelines regarding stem cell therapies, which helps ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy alternative to traditional treatments, promoting faster recovery and a return to normal activity.

What is the Science Behind BMAC?

BMAC utilizes the potent biological components found within a patient’s own bone marrow. The science behind BMAC revolves around harnessing and concentrating stem cells and growth factors, to facilitate healing and regeneration of injured tissues. Here’s a detailed look at the key components of BMAC:

• Stem Cells in BMAC include Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). MSCs are multipotent stromal cells capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types including osteoblasts (bone cells), chondrocytes (cartilage cells), myocytes (muscle cells), and adipocytes (fat cells). They play a crucial role in the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues such as bone, cartilage, and muscle. MSCs are particularly valued for their ability to modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation, which is vital for the healing process.
• Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs). HSCs are primarily responsible for the formation of blood cells in the process called hematopoiesis, HSCs support the repair processes by maintaining and producing new blood cells necessary for delivering nutrients and oxygen to the healing tissues.
• Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF). Stimulates cell proliferation and angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels).
• Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-β). Promotes the formation of extracellular matrix, which is crucial for building the scaffold necessary for tissue regeneration. Facilitates the repair of cartilage and enhances wound healing.
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Stimulates angiogenesis, which ensures adequate blood supply to the healing tissue. Crucial for repairing tissues with typically low blood flow, such as tendons and ligaments.
• Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF). Promotes the proliferation of fibroblasts, which are essential for the formation of connective tissue and various components of the extracellular matrix.
• Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Stimulates cell growth and differentiation, enhancing tissue repair processes. Useful in improving skin and surface tissue regeneration.

Am I a Good Candidate for BMAC?

Determining if you are a suitable candidate for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) therapy involves assessing several key considerations that include the following:

• Type and Severity of Condition. BMAC is most effective for certain musculoskeletal conditions that include osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, ligament issues, and bone fractures that have not adequately healed. BMAC may be more beneficial for moderate conditions rather than extremely advanced degenerative diseases where the tissue damage is extensive
• Patient Selection. Good candidates are generally in healthy condition without severe systemic diseases that might impair healing, such as uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune diseases
• Previous Treatments: If traditional treatments like physical therapy, medication, or other less invasive procedures have failed, BMAC might offer a viable alternative
• Patient Health: Ideal candidates are generally in good health and do not have conditions that could impair healing. Chronic diseases, such as severe diabetes or immune system disorders, may affect the effectiveness of PRP therapy
• Age and Activity Level. While BMAC can be effective for patients of various ages, younger patients with more active lifestyles may experience quicker and more robust healing responses. Elderly patients can still benefit, but the expectations and treatment goals may differ based on their overall condition and activity needs
• Lifestyle Factors: Lifestyle factors, including smoking or poor nutrition, can impact the healing process and the overall effectiveness of PRP therapy
• Frequency of Injections: The number and frequency of PRP injections can influence outcomes, with some conditions responding better to a series of injections rather than a single treatment
• Expectations: It’s crucial for patients to have realistic expectations about the outcomes of BMAC therapy. BMAC can significantly reduce symptoms and improve function normal activity.

Why Pain Treatment Institute for BMAC?

At Pain Treatment Institute, we offer true regeneration. Our regenerative therapies utilize the latest FDA approved systems that are tailored to meet the needs of our patients. Our treatments focus on the science, clinical research, patient selection, patient education and the pragmatic excellence of Dr. Syed who leads our regenerative medicine. We are committed to integrating regenerative medicine as part of our comprehensive treatment offering.

Accepting New Patients

Our pain management physician group is committed to providing Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) treatments with our regenerative medicine treatments. We are accepting new patients. Contact our office to schedule an appointment.