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Dr Michael Kain, Orthopaedic Hip Surgeon, Hip Reconstruction, Hip Surgery, Boston, Massachusetts | Patient Info | Hip | Procedures | BMAC of the Hip

BMAC of the Hip

BMAC of the Hip

What is Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) of the Hip?

BMAC is a concentrate of regenerative stem cells obtained from your own bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue that is found in the center of bones, including your hip bone. The stem cells are known to replicate themselves into various types of tissues and initiate healing. 

BMAC of the hip is a non-surgical treatment to help accelerate healing of cartilage injuries or damage to your hip joint.

Indications for BMAC of the Hip

Indications for a hip BMAC can be:

  • Moderate to severe hip osteoarthritis (degeneration of cartilage)
  • Severe cartilage or tendon injuries and/or bone damage in your hip 

How to Prepare for the Procedure?

Your surgeon may expect you to do the following before the procedure: 

  • 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 
  • Avoid NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) for five days before the procedure
  • Arrange an escort to drive you home after the procedure

How is BMAC of the Hip Performed?

The procedure is relatively simple and done under local anesthesia. 

During the treatment:

  • 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 is transferred to a centrifuge through a filter.
  • The sample is spun in the centrifuge to generate a concentrate. 
  • The concentrate is collected into a sterile syringe.
  • The concentrate is then injected into the treatment site using ultrasound as a guide. 

The number of BMAC treatments depends on the degree of the injury and will be decided by your surgeon.

Risks Associated with the Procedure

The possible risks associated with the procedure are:

  • Temporary soreness at the injection site
  • Swelling and discomfort at the treated area 
  • Bleeding, increased pain, infection or nerve damage 

What Precautions should be Taken as You Recover from the Procedure?

As you recover from the procedure, you may need to:

  • Undergo a short period of physical therapy to accelerate the healing
  • Avoid anti-inflammatory medications for at least two weeks 

Benefits of BMAC of the Hip

Hip BMAC offers several potential benefits. They include but are not limited to:

  • Minimal invasion and discomfort
  • Safe, feasible option 
  • Reduced inflammation and less pain 
  • Robust healing of the injured or damaged tissue 
  • Decreased chronic orthopedic conditions or tendinitis