Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
Bone marrow aspirate concentrate, or BMAC, is a treatment that uses a small amount of your own bone marrow to support healing and reduce inflammation.
Bone marrow is most often taken from the pelvic bone during an outpatient procedure. The sample is processed the same day to concentrate helpful components such as platelets, growth factors, and signaling cells that play a role in tissue repair.
BMAC does not create new tissue. Instead, it works by sending signals that may help the body respond to injury and inflammation more effectively.
How BMAC Works
Bone marrow contains cells and proteins that communicate with injured tissue. When concentrated and injected into a painful or injured area, these signals may help:
- Reduce inflammation
- Support tissue health
- Improve symptoms over time
The cells in BMAC mainly work through cell signaling, not by turning into cartilage, tendon, or bone.
FDA Status and Medical Use
BMAC is not FDA-approved as a drug or stem cell treatment for arthritis, joint pain, or sports injuries. It is used under the FDA’s rules for the practice of medicine when it is:
- Taken from your own body
- Minimally processed
- Used during the same procedure
- Not marketed as a way to regrow tissue
No claims are made that BMAC cures disease or rebuilds damaged joints.
Conditions Where BMAC May Be Considered
Based on current research and clinical experience, BMAC may be considered for select patients with:
- Early to moderate osteoarthritis
- Certain tendon or ligament injuries
- Focal cartilage problems
- Ongoing joint pain that has not improved with standard treatments
It is typically considered when physical therapy, medications, or injections have not provided enough relief and surgery is being delayed or avoided.
When BMAC Is Not Appropriate
BMAC is not recommended for:
- Severe, bone-on-bone arthritis
- Large tendon or ligament tears
- Advanced joint collapse or deformity
- Situations where surgery is clearly needed
BMAC should not be described as a way to grow new cartilage, rebuild joints, or replace joint replacement surgery.
How BMAC Fits Into Care
BMAC is typically considered after a careful evaluation, including a review of imaging and a discussion of your symptoms, goals, and treatment options. It is best suited for select patients and is used as part of a personalized treatment plan, often when standard treatments have not provided enough relief and surgery is being deferred.
When chosen thoughtfully, BMAC may be one option to support healing and symptom improvement within a comprehensive approach to care.