BMAC therapy — bone marrow concentrate for tendons, discs and joints

BMAC (bone marrow aspirate concentrate) is prepared from a small sample of your own bone marrow, drawn from the back of the pelvis under local anaesthesia and concentrated in a centrifuge. The concentrate contains cells and growth factors that support tissue repair, and is injected under image guidance into a damaged tendon, disc or joint. It is offered to selected patients as a regenerative option when simpler treatments have not been enough; the evidence is developing and results vary.

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Who it may help

Partial tendon tears — rotator cuff, gluteal, hamstring — that have not healed with PRP and loading
Degenerative disc disease in selected patients
Mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee or hip
Early avascular necrosis of the hip
Chronic tendinopathy resistant to other treatment

Who it will not help

Bone-on-bone arthritis, complete tears, active infection, blood or marrow disorders, and patients who are not able to follow the rehabilitation programme afterwards.

Step by step on the day

Local anaesthesia, with light sedation, to the skin and bone at the back of the pelvis (posterior iliac crest).
Marrow aspirated with a special needle — around 60 ml — taking a few minutes.
The sample is concentrated in a centrifuge for fifteen to twenty minutes.
The concentrate is injected under ultrasound or X-ray guidance into the target tissue.
Observation, then home. Total visit about ninety minutes.

Recovery

Soreness at the harvest site for several days and at the injection site for one to two weeks. Anti-inflammatory tablets are avoided for two weeks after. A structured rehabilitation programme follows. Improvement, where it occurs, develops over eight to sixteen weeks; review at three months.

Risks and realistic outcomes

Harvest-site pain and bruising are expected; infection or bleeding are rare. Because the material is your own, rejection and allergy do not occur. On evidence: BMAC is supported by early clinical studies rather than large trials; it is not a cure, it does not reliably regrow cartilage, and it is offered with clear expectations. [Dr. Kiruthika’s own experience and case numbers may be added here if she wishes.]

Questions patients ask

Is this stem cell therapy?

Bone marrow concentrate contains a small proportion of stem cells along with many other cells and growth factors. It is described here as a regenerative injection, not a stem cell treatment, and it is not a cure.

Is the marrow draw painful?

Under local anaesthesia and sedation most patients describe pressure and a few seconds of ache. Soreness follows for a few days.

How does it differ from PRP?

PRP concentrates platelets from blood. BMAC concentrates marrow cells and growth factors and is used when a stronger regenerative signal is wanted.

How long does it last?

Where it helps, improvement is typically measured in years rather than months, but this varies and cannot be guaranteed.

Is it approved?

It is an autologous (your own tissue) point-of-care procedure performed by trained physicians. Dr. Kiruthika will discuss the current evidence and regulatory position openly.

Book your consultation

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Conditions this treats

Back pain (degenerative disc)Shoulder pain Hip pain Knee pain Sports injuries