BMAC is a minimally-invasive, cell-based treatment that uses a patient’s own bone marrow to target problems affecting their musculoskeletal system.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Cell Therapy in NYC
In the US, almost a million knee replacement surgeries and around 100,000 ACL reconstructions are performed each year. These surgeries can be expensive, ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $50,000. In addition to that, orthopedic surgery can also be intensive and stressful.
Despite its effectiveness in relieving pain and increasing mobility, orthopedic surgery is not always the ideal way to go. Fortunately, there are easier and less invasive alternatives.
For our patients here at Integrative Spine & Sports with orthopedic conditions or injuries, we often recommend cell therapy. Compared to surgery, cell therapy is easier on the pocket as well as on the body and mind. Here, you’ll learn about cellular therapy, as well as how it can help alleviate conditions like shoulder pain or even knee pain.
How Does Cell-Based Therapy Work?
To understand how cell-based therapy (BMAC) works, it’s best to understand what the name “bone marrow aspirate concentrate” really means.
Cell-based therapy (BMAC) works by:
- Extracting (aspirating) the patient’s own bone marrow
- Removing the excess water (turning it into a concentrate)
- Injecting the concentrate into the affected area
The bone marrow is the most important part of this procedure, since it’s one of the main sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).
Why Cell-Based Therapy (BMAC)?
Cellular therapy is a great alternative to orthopedic surgery, and is ideal for many patients, especially with the cost and stress that can come with surgery.
It’s important to note that the specific cells present in BMAC therapy, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are all taken from the patient and used to treat their own condition. Substances like these, which naturally exist in the patient’s body, are called orthobiologics.
This minimizes the amount of foreign substances introduced to the patient’s body, making the therapy not only minimally-invasive, but also natural.
Other than that, there is plenty of scientific evidence that proves the efficacy of MSCs derived from bone marrow.
Most patients that receive BMAC therapy experience not only a reduction in pain and swelling, but also a significant improvement in mobility.
What is a Stem Cell?
If you’ve been doing your research on musculoskeletal condition treatments, the term “stem cell” might have come up a few times. Stem cells are basically “immature cells” which can be taken from several parts of the body — in this case, the bone marrow.
When injected into the site of the injury, the stem cells mature. There, they serve as a “repair system” for our body since stem cells are known to encourage a regenerative environment. And since bone marrow can regenerate completely, it’s possible to do the procedure several times.
By taking the patient’s bone marrow, concentrating it, and injecting it into the affected area, BMAC therapy can relieve pain, rejuvenate damaged joints, and restore mobility.
Why Cellular (BMAC) Therapy?
Cellular therapy is a great alternative to orthopedic surgery, and is ideal for many patients, especially with the cost and stress that can come with surgery.
It’s important to note that the mesenchymal stem cells present in BMAC therapy are all taken from the patient and used to treat their own condition. Substances like these, which naturally exist in the patient’s body, are called orthobiologics.
This minimizes the amount of foreign substances introduced to the patient’s body, making the therapy not only minimally-invasive, but also natural. Other than that, there is plenty of scientific evidence that proves the efficacy of stem cells derived from bone marrow.
Most patients that receive BMAC therapy experience not only a reduction in pain and swelling, but also a significant improvement in mobility.
Many patients look for nonsurgical solutions and will only consider surgery if all other solutions are exhausted.
For many of our patients, BMAC therapy helped immensely. It’s effective, minimally-invasive, low-risk, and quick enough that patients can usually go home on the same day as the procedure.
| Surgery | BMAC Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Reduces pain | ||
| Reduce swelling | ||
| Improves mobility | ||
| Affordable | ||
| Minimally-invasive | ||
| Low-risk | ||
| Quick procedure |
Who should get BMAC therapy?
Generally, we recommend BMAC therapy to:
- Weekend warriors
- People with active lifestyles
- Senior citizens
- Busy professionals
- Everyday athletes
- Professional athletes
These types of people are the most prone to orthopedic conditions and will benefit the most from BMAC therapy.
If a patient has any of the following conditions, we may recommend BMAC therapy as a minimally-invasive solution:
Typically, though, BMAC therapy is used for moderate to severe orthopedic conditions or injuries such as severe arthritis in the knee, shoulder, or hip. If you’re experiencing anything similar to the conditions listed above, contact us today to book an appointment.
Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Therapy Experts
Patients with moderate to severe orthopedic conditions or injuries can ask about BMAC therapy at any orthopedic clinic near them.
Here in New York City, at our offices in Upper West Side and Madison Ave, we welcome patients who need help with musculoskeletal conditions and who may be interested in BMAC therapy.
At our practice, we can recommend our patients the safest, most practical nonsurgical solution for their condition so they can feel pain-free and move better.
Get started on the road to recovery by booking an appointment today or give us a call at 212-362-4742.
Cell Therapy (BMAC) FAQ’s
Before the bone marrow is harvested at the beginning of the procedure, the patient is numbed with a local anesthetic.
There may be a feeling of pressure once the needle goes through the bone to reach the marrow, but patients often tolerate this feeling well.
During the harvesting, the patient may feel a slight ache in the lower body, but this feeling will only last during the harvesting, which takes about 6 seconds.
Gathered data from 36 clinics showed a mean marketed clinical efficacy of 82.2%.
The effect of BMAC therapy is gradual, and results may not be seen immediately. Most patients notice reduced pain, swelling, and increased mobility 2 to 6 weeks after the procedure.
BMAC therapy takes about 45 to 60 minutes to complete. Patients can usually go home the same day as the procedure.
The procedure starts by injecting a local anesthetic into the tummy fat. This takes about 15 to 20 minutes. For about the same amount of time, the bone marrow is extracted, and the excess water taken out.
With ultrasound guidance, the bone marrow concentrate is injected into the damaged area, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes per area.
Yes, BMAC therapy is FDA-approved, under certain circumstances. There is a lot of scientific evidence that backs up the ability of cells taken from bone marrow to relieve pain, swelling, and improve mobility.
