BMAC (Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate) for Cartilage Restoration

Cartilage damage in the knee can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty with daily activities. Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) is a biological treatment that uses your own bone marrow cells to support cartilage healing and joint preservation.

What is BMAC?

BMAC is prepared by collecting a small amount of bone marrow, usually from the pelvic bone, and concentrating it to extract healing cells and growth factors. This concentrate is then applied directly to the damaged cartilage area during surgery or injected into the joint.

How Does It Help?

BMAC contains stem cells and bioactive factors that may:

• Support cartilage repair and regeneration
• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Improve joint function
• Slow down progression of cartilage wear

It works best in early to moderate cartilage damage, not advanced arthritis.

Who Can Benefit?

BMAC is commonly recommended for:

• Focal cartilage defects
• Early cartilage degeneration
• Patients undergoing cartilage procedures like microfracture or scaffold-based repair
• Young and active individuals aiming to preserve their natural joint

The Procedure

• Bone marrow is collected through a small needle
• The sample is processed to concentrate healing cells
• BMAC is applied arthroscopically or injected into the joint
• The procedure is minimally invasive and usually done as a day-care surgery

Recovery and Results

Rehabilitation is gradual and guided by physiotherapy. Many patients experience pain relief and functional improvement, though cartilage healing takes time and results vary depending on defect size, alignment, and joint condition.

Important to Know

BMAC is a joint preservation technique, not a joint replacement. It aims to delay or avoid more invasive surgeries by enhancing the body’s natural healing potential.