Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC
Chronic joint pain, tendon injuries, and degenerative orthopedic conditions can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life. If conservative treatments such as medications, physical therapy, or injections have not provided lasting relief, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) treatment may be an option to support your body's natural healing response. Blake Ohlson, M.D. offers BMAC treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC, providing advanced regenerative medicine solutions for carefully selected patients with musculoskeletal injuries and joint disorders.
BMAC therapy uses specialized healing components obtained from your own bone marrow, which are concentrated and precisely injected into the affected area to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation. Dr. Ohlson performs comprehensive evaluations to determine whether BMAC therapy is appropriate based on your diagnosis, overall health, and treatment goals. Every care plan is personalized to help patients improve function, reduce pain, and maintain an active lifestyle whenever possible.
What is Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment?
Concentrated bone marrow, often referred to as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), is a regenerative treatment that utilizes a patient's own biological material to support tissue repair and reduce inflammation in joints and soft tissues. By processing bone marrow to increase the density of healing factors, physicians can deliver a concentrated solutiond directly to the site of an injury or degenerative area to promote natural recovery. This approach is frequently used to address issues like osteoarthritis, ligament injuries, and other musculoskeletal damage.
Indications for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
Some of the indications for BMAC include:
- Osteoarthritis of the joints
- Improve wound healing
- Osteonecrosis (bone death)
- Improve tendon healing
- Treat fractures of the bones
- Delay progression of the disease, such as arthritis
- Treat cartilage injuries
Preparation for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
In general, preparation for BMAC treatment includes the following:
- A thorough examination by your doctor to check for any medical issues that need to be addressed prior to the procedure.
- Depending on your medical history, social history, and age, routine blood work and imaging may be ordered for safely conducting the procedure.
- You will be asked if you have any allergies to medications, anesthesia, or latex.
- Inform your doctor of any medications, vitamins, or supplements that you may be taking.
- Eat a balanced diet that is low in fat and high in protein.
- Drink lots of water for a few days leading up to the treatment.
- Refrain from alcohol or tobacco at least 24 hours prior to the procedure.
- Avoid NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) or blood thinners a week before the procedure.
- Arrange an escort to drive you home after the procedure.
- A written consent will be obtained from you after the procedure has been explained in detail.
Procedure for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
In general, the BMAC treatment procedure involves the following:
- The skin over the injection site is sterilized and numbed with a local anesthetic.
- A suction syringe attached to a long needle is inserted into the back of your hip bone.
- The bone marrow is suctioned out through a small needle puncture in the bone.
- The collected bone marrow sample is transferred to the centrifuge for processing.
- The sample undergoes a thorough processing and bone marrow aspirate concentrate with specialized cells are obtained.
- The concentrate is collected into a sterile syringe.
- The concentrate is then injected into the affected area under ultrasound guidance.
- The whole procedure takes about 2 hours to complete and you can go home the same day.
The number of BMAC treatments required depends on the degree of the injury and will be decided by your surgeon.
Post-Procedure Care and Instructions
Post-procedure care and instructions will include the following:
- Avoid strenuous activities for a couple of days.
- Apply ice on the injection site for comfort.
- Rest, elevation, and medicines are recommended to relieve pain and swelling.
- Gentle range of motion exercises is recommended.
- Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks.
- A follow-up appointment will be scheduled to monitor your progress.
Risks and Complications of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
BMAC treatment is a relatively safe procedure; however, as with any procedure, there are risks and complications that could occur, such as:
- Infection
- Damage to blood vessels and nerves
- Pain, swelling, or soreness at the injection site
- Blood clots
Benefits of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
BMAC treatment offers several potential benefits, including:
- Minimal invasion and discomfort
- Safe, feasible treatment option
- Reduced inflammation and less pain
- Robust healing of the injured or damaged tissue
- Decreased chronic orthopedic conditions
Why Choose Dr. Blake Ohlson for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment in Mount Pleasant, SC?
The success of regenerative medicine depends on proper diagnosis, careful patient selection, and precise treatment techniques. Dr. Blake Ohlson combines extensive orthopedic expertise with advanced regenerative medicine training to provide evidence-based care using the latest biologic treatment options.
Patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities choose Dr. Ohlson because he offers:
- Comprehensive orthopedic evaluations to identify the source of pain and injury
- Expertise in regenerative medicine and biologic orthopedic treatments
- Personalized treatment plans based on each patient's diagnosis and lifestyle
- Image-guided procedures for accurate placement of regenerative therapies when appropriate
- Conservative treatment options designed to delay or avoid surgery whenever possible
- Care for active adults, athletes, and patients with chronic orthopedic conditions
- A patient-focused approach centered on improving mobility, relieving pain, and restoring function
Whether you are experiencing osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, cartilage damage, or other musculoskeletal conditions, Dr. Ohlson works closely with you to determine whether BMAC therapy is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Treatment
What is Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)?
BMAC is a regenerative medicine treatment that uses concentrated healing cells and growth factors obtained from your own bone marrow. After processing the bone marrow sample, the concentrate is injected into the injured or damaged tissue to support the body's natural healing process.
What conditions can BMAC treatment help treat?
BMAC therapy may be considered for conditions such as osteoarthritis, cartilage injuries, tendon damage, ligament injuries, delayed bone healing, osteonecrosis, certain fractures, and other musculoskeletal disorders. A comprehensive evaluation is necessary to determine if BMAC is appropriate for your condition.
How is the bone marrow collected?
Bone marrow is typically collected from the back of the pelvic bone using a specialized needle after the area has been numbed with local anesthesia. The collected sample is then processed to concentrate the healing components before being injected into the treatment area.
How long does recovery take after BMAC treatment?
Most patients return home the same day. Mild soreness at both the bone marrow harvest site and injection site is common. Patients are generally advised to avoid strenuous activities for several days, while improvement in symptoms often develops gradually over several weeks or months depending on the condition being treated.
Is BMAC therapy covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for BMAC therapy varies by provider and diagnosis. Many insurance plans consider regenerative medicine treatments investigational and may not provide coverage. Our office will review treatment costs, insurance considerations, and available payment options before your procedure.
Schedule a BMAC Consultation in Mount Pleasant, SC
If chronic joint pain, arthritis, or musculoskeletal injuries are affecting your quality of life, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) treatment may offer an advanced regenerative medicine option to support healing and improve function. Dr. Blake Ohlson provides comprehensive evaluations and individualized treatment plans for patients throughout Mount Pleasant, Charleston, Summerville, and surrounding South Carolina communities.
Contact our office today to schedule a consultation and learn whether BMAC treatment may be an appropriate option to help reduce pain, support tissue repair, and restore your active lifestyle.