BMAC Injections: Using Your Own Stem Cells to Repair and Restore Damaged Joints

For people struggling with chronic joint pain or arthritis, surgery such as a hip or knee replacement is often considered a long-term solution. However, some patients may benefit from regenerative treatments that promote natural healing and can help delay or even avoid surgery.

At Orthopaedic Innovation, we offer Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) — one of the most advanced regenerative options available today. By using a small sample of your own bone marrow, BMAC provides a rich source of stem cells and growth factors that help repair and regenerate damaged tissue.

BMAC is a biologic treatment derived from your own bone marrow, which contains regenerative cells vital for healing. When concentrated, this solution becomes especially potent, containing:

• Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs): Repair cells capable of forming new cartilage, bone, and tendon tissue.
• Growth Factors and Cytokines: Proteins that promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

Through a sterile processing technique, these components are concentrated to levels up to ten times higher than normal, creating a powerful injectable therapy for advanced joint and soft tissue damage.

Once injected into a damaged joint or tendon, the regenerative cells in BMAC initiate two key processes:

1. Regeneration: MSCs transform into the specific cell types needed for tissue repair.
2. Inflammation Control: Growth factors help reduce pain and promote a more balanced healing environment.

This makes BMAC particularly effective for moderate to severe arthritis, osteonecrosis, cartilage damage, and chronic tendon injuries.
Clinical research from Nature Scientific Reports¹ has shown sustained benefits for mobility and pain relief lasting one to two years or longer.

BMAC is often recommended when traditional injections such as steroids or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) are no longer providing enough relief. It’s also a valuable option for patients hoping to postpone surgery while maintaining an active lifestyle.

If arthritis is advanced and surgical treatment becomes necessary, our team also provides guidance on the best types of hip and knee replacements to suit each individual’s needs. You can learn more about this on our Treatments page.

BMAC treatment is performed as a same-day, minimally invasive procedure, typically lasting about 60–90 minutes.

Step 1 – Bone Marrow Collection

• Under anaesthetic, a small amount of bone marrow is safely aspirated from the pelvic bone.

Step 2 – Concentration

• The sample is processed using a centrifuge to isolate and concentrate regenerative cells and growth factors.

Step 3 – Targeted Injection

• The concentrated solution is injected directly into the affected joint or tendon under ultrasound or X-ray guidance for precision.

Most patients resume light activity within a few days, though rest and gradual rehabilitation are advised for optimal results.

Recent findings from the Mayo Clinic¹ suggest that BMAC may outperform PRP in patients with more advanced arthritis due to its higher stem cell content.