BMAC — Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate
BMAC is a regenerative treatment that uses a concentrated sample of your own bone marrow to support healing and reduce inflammation in damaged joints, tendons, and ligaments. Because it is derived entirely from your own body, there is no risk of rejection or allergic reaction.
Dr. Murakami offers BMAC as part of a comprehensive regenerative medicine program in Walnut Creek, CA — reserved for carefully selected patients when the clinical picture supports its use.
How BMAC Works
Bone marrow contains cells and proteins that play an active role in the body’s natural repair process. During the procedure, a small sample of bone marrow is drawn from the pelvic bone and processed the same day to concentrate its most therapeutically active components — including growth factors, platelets, and signaling cells.
When injected into the affected area under image guidance, these concentrated signals may help:
- Reduce inflammation
- Support tissue health and repair
- Improve pain and function over time
BMAC works primarily through cell signaling — it does not directly grow new cartilage, rebuild joints, or replace damaged tissue. Realistic expectations are an essential part of the conversation before proceeding.
What BMAC Can and Cannot Do
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field, and BMAC represents one of its more advanced options. It is not a cure and should not be presented as one.
Current evidence supports BMAC’s ability to modulate inflammation and support the body’s healing response — leading to meaningful improvements in pain and function for appropriately selected patients. Emerging research also indicates that BMAC may help delay or avoid joint replacement surgery even in patients with more significant joint degeneration, particularly in the knee.
That said, BMAC cannot reverse end-stage arthritis, repair large structural tears, or replace surgery when surgery is clearly indicated. Dr. Murakami’s approach is straightforward: BMAC is recommended only when the evidence supports its use for your specific diagnosis, and only after a thorough review of your imaging, history, and treatment goals.
Is BMAC Right for You?
BMAC may be appropriate if you have:
- Moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis — including patients with significant degeneration who are looking to delay or avoid joint replacement surgery. Emerging evidence supports meaningful improvements in pain and function even in more advanced knee OA when patients are appropriately selected.
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, shoulder, or other joints
- Certain tendon or ligament injuries that have not responded to conservative care
- Focal cartilage problems
- Ongoing joint pain after physical therapy, medications, or conventional injections have not provided adequate relief
BMAC is generally not recommended for:
- End-stage bone-on-bone arthritis with complete joint space loss or significant structural deformity. BMAC does not replace a total joint replacement.
- Large tendon or ligament tears requiring surgical repair
- Cases where joint replacement is immediately indicated
- Patients with active infection, malignancy, or other contraindications to the procedure
How BMAC Fits Into Your Care Plan
BMAC is never recommended in isolation. At Dr. Murakami’s practice, it is considered only after a careful evaluation — including imaging review, a thorough discussion of your symptoms and goals, and an honest assessment of whether other treatment options may be more appropriate.
When chosen thoughtfully for the right patient, BMAC can be a meaningful part of a personalized, comprehensive approach to pain management and functional recovery in Walnut Creek and throughout the East Bay.
This page was last reviewed March 2026.