Bone Marrow Aspirate (BMAC) Therapy in Arizona

What is BMAC?

Our bone marrow is naturally rich in mesenchymal stem cells, platelets, and growth factors. These components play a critical role in tissue regeneration and reducing inflammation. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is an advanced regenerative therapy, similar to PRP therapy, that harnesses the natural healing effect of these elements to repair damaged tissues in musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoarthritis and tendon and ligament injury.

How BMAC Injection Works and the Role of MSCs

Using a minimally invasive technique, BMAC involves extracting a small sample of bone marrow, typically from the iliac crest or hip bone. The extracted sample is then processed with a centrifuge to concentrate its regenerative components and injected directly into the damaged area to promote healing.

Stem cells are at the core of the regenerative potential of BMAC. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), in particular, are abundant in bone marrow and play a unique role in healing by:

1. Promoting Tissue Regeneration: MSCs help rebuild damaged tissues by transforming them into the specific cells needed for repair, such as fibroblasts for collagen, chondrocytes for cartilage, and osteoblasts for bone.

2. Reducing Inflammation: MSCs release bioactive molecules that regulate inflammation, creating an optimal environment for healing and reducing pain.

3. Releasing Growth Factors: These factors stimulate the repair process by attracting additional cells to the injury site, promoting the proliferation of these cells, and enhancing cell-to-cell communication for faster recovery.

Essentially, by delivering a concentrated dose of these potent cells directly to the affected area, BMAC amplifies the body’s natural healing processes, offering significant potential for treating various injuries and degenerative conditions.

Common Conditions Treated with BMAC Therapy

BMAC therapy offers a minimally invasive, regenerative solution tailored to various types of musculoskeletal pain and injury. Because of this, it is used to treat many common conditions, including:

Osteoarthritis: BMAC therapy is often used to treat joint pain and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. The stem cells and growth factors help regenerate cartilage, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function.
Tendon Injuries: Conditions such as tendonitis or tendon tears, including the rotator cuff, gluteal tendons (“bursitis”), tennis elbow, and Achilles tendon benefit from BMAC’s ability to promote tissue repair and reduce recovery time.
Ligament Injuries: BMAC can help heal ligament sprains or tears, such as those in the knee (e.g., ACL) and other joints, by enhancing ligament regeneration and helping reduce the need for surgical intervention.
Spinal Conditions: BMAC addresses disc degeneration, disc annular tears, and facet joint pain in the spine, offering an alternative to invasive surgical procedures for managing back pain.
Musculoskeletal and Sports Injuries: Chronic or acute injuries, such as meniscus tears, labral injuries, and plantar fasciitis, are commonly treated with BMAC to promote faster recovery and restore performance.
Bone Injuries or Fractures: BMAC accelerates bone healing and is used to treat bone marrow edema and fractures that are slow to heal or nonunion fractures that are not appropriate for surgery thanks to the osteogenic properties of stem cells.

The BMAC Injection Procedure: What to Expect

Like with any new procedure, understanding the step-by-step process can help you prepare for the procedure and recovery afterward. Here is a general breakdown of what you can expect from a BMAC procedure:

1. Consultation and Assessment: Before the procedure, the patient undergoes a thorough evaluation to confirm that BMAC is an appropriate treatment. Imaging studies, such as X-rays or MRIs, may be performed to assess the extent of the injury or condition.

2. Preparation: On the day of the procedure, the patient is positioned comfortably on their stomach, and the target area (the back of the hip) is identified with fluoroscopic or X-ray guidance and then sterilized. Local anesthesia is administered to minimize discomfort.

3. Bone Marrow Extraction: Under fluoroscopy, a specialized needle is inserted into the iliac crest (hip bone), and a small amount of bone marrow is aspirated. This step typically takes about 10–15 minutes and is minimally invasive.

4. Processing the Bone Marrow: The aspirated bone marrow is immediately processed using a centrifuge to separate and concentrate the stem cells, platelets, and growth factors. This step ensures a high-quality concentrate for injection and takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

5. Injection of BMAC: Using fluoroscopic or ultrasound guidance, the concentrated BMAC is precisely injected into the targeted area, such as a joint, tendon, or ligament, to ensure efficacy. The injection process takes about 10–15 minutes.

The entire procedure typically lasts 60–90 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis, allowing the patient to return home after the procedure. In most cases, patients receiving BMAC can resume normal activities quickly while benefiting from enhanced tissue regeneration.

Benefits of BMAC Therapy

BMAC therapy is a minimally invasive form of non-surgical treatment that offers many benefits to its patients, including faster recovery times and fewer complications post-procedure. The other primary benefits of BMAC therapy include:

Natural and Autologous Treatment: Since BMAC is derived from the patient’s own bone marrow, it eliminates the risk of allergic reactions, immune rejection, and disease transmission.
Reduces Inflammation and Pain: BMAC’s concentrated stem cells and growth factors help regulate inflammation, which reduces pain in injured or degenerated tissues.
Long-Term Benefits for Joint and Musculoskeletal Health: Unlike temporary pain-relief options, BMAC works at the cellular level to regenerate damaged tissue, providing sustainable and long-lasting benefits for joint and musculoskeletal health.
High Potency Regenerative Properties: BMAC includes mesenchymal stem cells, which have the unique ability to differentiate into various cell types. This makes BMAC a more comprehensive option for treating severe injuries or advanced degeneration.
Improved Quality of Life: By reducing pain, improving mobility, and supporting the regeneration of healthy tissue, BMAC enables patients to return to daily activities without the risks or recovery time associated with surgery.

By offering a natural, minimally invasive, and effective treatment option, BMAC stands out as a cutting-edge therapy for individuals seeking long-term solutions to joint and musculoskeletal challenges.

BMAC vs. PRP Therapy: Understanding Their Key Differences

While BMAC and Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy are both regenerative treatments, their primary difference lies in their composition and potential applications. PRP is derived from blood and primarily contains concentrated platelets and growth factors, making it most effective for stimulating healing in osteoarthritic joints and soft tissues like ligaments and tendons.

BMAC, on the other hand, includes a broader range of regenerative components, such as mesenchymal stem cells, which differentiate into various tissue types and promote more healing in more complex scenarios. This makes BMAC particularly beneficial for more severe injuries or conditions where stem cells play a pivotal role in tissue repair.

PRP and BMAC are often used together to treat conditions including moderate to severe osteoarthritis, larger tendon tears, hip and shoulder labral tears, meniscus tears, disc degeneration, disc annular tears, and bone injury (e.g., bone marrow edema). In addition, if a patient has 2 or more large structural injuries, the higher volume of regenerative therapy with BMAC and PRP together can be used to treat a greater expanse of injury.

Is BMAC Therapy Right for You?

Anyone seeking a minimally invasive, regenerative treatment for musculoskeletal pain and injury is an ideal candidate for BMAC therapy. Eligibility factors include overall health, age, and lifestyle. Active or younger patients may see faster results, for example, but older individuals with good health can still benefit.

Typically, those with severe medical conditions, active infections, or blood disorders may not be eligible and should consult a healthcare provider for alternative treatment options.

To learn more and to see if BMAC, PRP, or a combination is right for you, schedule a consultation with our Arizona spine and sports physicians today.

Phoenix Office
3700 N 24th Street, Ste 210 Phoenix, AZ 85016

Mesa Office
6634 E. Baseline Rd., Suite 101 Mesa, AZ 85206

Scottsdale Office
8670 E Shea Blvd Suite 102. Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Gilbert Office
3487 South Mercy Road Gilbert, AZ 85297

Peoria Office
13128 N 94th Drive, Suite 200 Peoria, AZ 85381

North Phoenix Office
2525 W. Carefree Highway, Ste. 134 Phoenix, AZ 85085

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"Dr Susan Sorosky & Staff,
I would like to extend a huge thank you for my improved health & happiness --- because of your skill and dedication to me as a patient. The extra care you extend to your patients is phenomenal & rare. Thank you so much for helping me through my “Golden”?? years."

Debbie R

"Dr. Ralhan is the best, he makes my life with Sciatica bearable. I have anxiety so whenever I get my injections he makes me feel comfortable When we are in the procedure room he doesn’t do anything to me until he tells me first. I always know what’s going to happen and how it’s going to feel. His staff is very nice, always smiling very attentive."

Julie S

"Everyone is very caring and efficient. And Dr Susana Leyva and Dr Brad Sorosky seem to really care about your pain."

Margaret H.

"I came in with excruciating lower back pain, and today I am pain free thanks to Dr. Hatch's procedures and encouragement to combine physical therapy with my recovery."

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"The staff at Desert Spine and Sports are very helpfull and Dr Page is awesome. He is easy to talk with and very good explaining to you what is going on with your condition. I highly recommend Dr Page and Desert Spine and Sports"

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"Doctor Hott was the first knowledgeable doctor I think I have visited with that layed down a simple plan for me. He truly is a exceptional doctor who I think cares for us as patients. That’s rare these days. Thanks again!"

Robert H

"Dr. Susan Sorosky was a good listener, asked questions to better understand my symptoms, answered my questions, and provided recommendations to improve my condition. She also promoted the patient portal as a means to get any other questions answered."

Amber E

"The staff here has been nothing but compassionate. I saw Dr. Ralhan who spent time listening to my concerns and medical history as a whole. I am not used to doctors, especially specialists, actively listening to my concerns and goals."

Sheena Bhuva MD, Past Fellow 2017-2018

"I am so grateful for my fellowship year at DSSP. This really is a one-of-a-kind fellowship. Not only do you gain experience in how to be part of a successful private practice, but also you get to learn ethical, evidence-based care under the guidance of wonderful attendings. I felt very prepared starting my career after graduating from DSSP. Highly recommend this fellowship!"

Leilani P

"Wonderful. Dr. Ralhan is amazing. He asks the right questions, and listens an has the solution. He is extraordinary at pain management like no other. I work in an Industry where your body can get beat up and it was nice to finally find a Dr who knew exactly what kind of medicine to give without feeling loopy or out of the sort."

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"I took my 13 yr old athlete daughter in to see Dr Page for a knee injury. He was wonderful! He was very knowledgeable, had a great bedside manner and made my daughter very comfortable with the exam. I would highly recommend Desert Spine and Sports!"

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"Had a great experience. Gave a lot of easy to understand info about what was going on. He helped keep me distracted from the tests by letting me play some music and having a nice friendly chat."

M. Dwyer

"Most efficient, friendly, competent staff and doctors in the valley. Dr. Sorosky is terrific. Today, I had two epidural injections to calm down a herniated disc in my next. Dr. Brad took the time to explain the procedure and walked me through each step. I highly recommend him."

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"Susana Leyva is great! She takes the time to listen to what is wrong and finds the best way to treat the problem. She's very caring and compassionate. All of the office staff is kind and helpful. I highly recommend them."

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"Dear Dr. Sorosky, Just a quick note to extend my heart felt thanks for your genuine concern, efforts and time spent in my behalf. I am truly appreciative of your being interested enough to listen to my concerns as well as rechecking with the radiologist regarding the finding on the MRI. It is my good fortune that Dr. Kuhl recommended you! Many thanks for being a caring doctor."

T. Holinger

"Every time I go to Desert Sports and Spine they take such good care of me! Thank you thank you for always listening and explaining things in a manner I can understand! Dr Josh is amazing! Highly recommend this office!"

Judith W

"Susana Leyva was amazing and answered every question I had and informed me of possible issues I wasn’t even aware of. Extremely professional and knowledgeable and I would recommend all day, every day. Amazing person. Also set me up for return visit after a MRI to discuss our next step to stop the pain and fix the pinched nerve she diagnosed me with. Amazing person."

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC): Advanced Regenerative Therapy