Your Guide to BMAC: What to Expect from This Regenerative Treatment

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is gaining attention as a regenerative option for people living with joint pain, arthritis, or stubborn injuries. Instead of relying only on medications or surgery, BMAC uses cells and growth factors from your own body to encourage repair and restore function.

At the orthopedic practices of Dr. Christopher E. Swanson in Jacksonville, Fleming Island, St. Johns, and Northside, patients receive leading regenerative treatments, including PRP and BMAC. Dr. Swanson, a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon near you, tailors care plans to improve function and reduce discomfort. 

Whether you are looking for ”orthobiologics near me” or seeking guidance from orthopedic doctors near you, our team is ready to support your recovery.

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Let’s walk through what BMAC is, how it works, what conditions it may treat, and what results you can expect.

What Is BMAC?

Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is a therapeutic approach that harnesses the healing potential already present in your bone marrow. Bone marrow contains:

• Stem cells that can help repair bone, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons.
• Growth factors that signal the body to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair.
• Anti-inflammatory proteins that may calm pain and slow degeneration.

By concentrating these cells and proteins, BMAC delivers a more powerful dose directly to the injured or painful area, giving your body a boost in healing where it needs it most.

The Step-by-Step BMAC Process

1. Bone Marrow Aspiration

The procedure begins with extracting bone marrow, usually from the pelvic bone. After numbing the area with local anesthesia, a needle is inserted to draw a liquid sample of bone marrow.

2. Concentration Process

The collected sample is placed into a specialized centrifuge machine that spins it to separate and concentrate the most active healing components. This step increases the density of cells and growth factors several times over compared to the original sample.

3. Injection Into Target Tissue

The concentrated material is then injected into the injured joint, tendon, or ligament. To ensure accuracy, the injection is often guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy imaging.

The entire process typically takes about two hours, and most patients return home the same day. Some soreness at the aspiration or injection site is normal for a few days afterward.

Conditions BMAC May Treat

BMAC is considered a regenerative option for many musculoskeletal conditions. It is most often used in patients who are not ready for surgery or want to try non-surgical treatments first.

• Arthritis in the knee, hip, or shoulder: Particularly effective in the early to moderate stages, BMAC may reduce pain, improve mobility, and slow joint degeneration.
• Cartilage injuries: For patients experiencing stiffness, swelling, or loss of flexibility, concentrated cells from BMAC may help repair damaged cartilage and protect joint function.
• Tendon problems: Chronic tendonitis or partial tendon tears that haven’t healed with rest, therapy, or other injections may benefit from regenerative support.
• Ligament injuries: Partial tears or overstretched ligaments that remain weak after standard care may heal more fully with targeted biologic treatment.
• Sports-related injuries: Athletes with overuse injuries or soft tissue damage may use BMAC to reduce downtime and return to activity more safely.

In some cases, BMAC may also support recovery after surgery, helping tissues heal more efficiently.

How Long Does It Take to See Results

Unlike surgery, which provides immediate structural change, BMAC works gradually as the cells and growth factors stimulate healing.

• Short-term: Some patients notice reduced pain and improved mobility within 4–6 weeks.
• Mid-term: Results often continue to build over several months as tissues repair.
• Long-term: For some, benefits last for a year or longer, especially when combined with physical therapy and healthy lifestyle habits.

The exact timeline depends on the condition being treated, the severity of damage, and the patient’s overall health.

Benefits of Choosing BMAC

• Minimally invasive: Outpatient procedure with short recovery.
• Natural healing: Uses your own cells and growth factors.
• Lower risks: Reduced chance of rejection or complications compared to surgery.
• Pain relief and function: Many patients experience less pain and better mobility.
• Delay surgery: In some cases, BMAC can postpone the need for joint replacement or more invasive procedures.

For patients who are not yet ready for major surgery, BMAC offers a valuable option to stay active and manage symptoms.

Supporting Healing With Your Own Cells

BMAC is an exciting treatment that uses your own bone marrow cells to repair tissues, reduce pain, and improve function. It offers a safe, natural, and minimally invasive option for patients with arthritis, tendon injuries, or joint pain who are not ready for surgery. At Dr. Christopher E. Swanson’s orthopedic clinics in Jacksonville, Fleming Island, St. Johns, and Northside, you’ll find expert guidance from a trusted double board-certified orthopedic surgeon dedicated to advanced regenerative care.

To find out if BMAC could be the right treatment for you, call us at (904) 634-0640 or request an appointment through our online scheduling tool.

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Frequently Asked Questions