Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)

Conditions Treated

Moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, avascular necrosis (early stages), chronic tendon injuries, cartilage defects

How It Works

Bone marrow is harvested from the posterior iliac crest (hip bone) using a specialized needle under local anesthesia. The aspirate is processed in a centrifuge to concentrate the regenerative cells and growth factors, then injected into the damaged tissue under imaging guidance.

What to Expect

60-90 minute procedure. The bone marrow harvest involves brief pressure at the hip. The injection into the target area is similar to other image-guided injections. You may experience soreness at both the harvest and injection sites for several days.

Recovery

Mild soreness at the harvest site for 1-3 days. Avoid strenuous activity for 2-4 weeks. Gradual return to full activity over 4-8 weeks.

Duration of Relief

Results develop over 3-6 months. Many patients experience sustained improvement lasting 1-2 years or longer.