What is regenerative medicine?
Regenerative medicine is a branch of medicine that tries to use the body’s own healing ability to reduce inflammation in damaged tissue and help it heal. PRP and BMAC are two well-known treatments in this field.
What is BMAC?
BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) is a concentrated mixture of cells collected from the patient’s own bone marrow. It contains stem cells and other supporting cells along with various growth factors, which are thought to help reduce inflammation and support tissue healing.
How it is done
- Under local anaesthesia, bone marrow is collected with a special needle, usually from the hip bone at the back of the waist (iliac crest).
- It is concentrated with a special process.
- It is injected precisely into the affected joint or area under ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
The whole procedure is completed on the same day, with no major incision.
The difference between PRP and BMAC
- Source: PRP is made from blood, BMAC from bone marrow.
- Contents: PRP mainly contains platelets and growth factors; BMAC also contains various cells, including stem cells.
- Use: BMAC is considered for selected patients when the wear or damage is relatively greater.
Realistic expectations
BMAC is a modern, developing treatment, and research on it is still ongoing. It does not rebuild a worn joint, but it can help reduce pain and improve function in selected patients. The benefit becomes clear gradually. A specialist will decide whether it is right for you after a detailed examination.
This article is for general health information. Always consult a doctor for your own diagnosis and treatment.
