Do you have a long-standing joint pain or a sports injury that is still bothering you? You may have also heard of non-healing wounds on the legs that sometimes occur due to conditions like diabetes. So today we are going to talk about a new way to treat these conditions using parts of our own body.
Simply put, what is this bone marrow extract (BMAC)?
Okay, let's keep this simple. BMAC is an acronym for Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate . In Sinhala, this is "a concentrated bone marrow extract" .
You know, the soft, spongy part inside our bones is what we call bone marrow . All the types of blood cells our body needs are produced in this bone marrow. A special type of cell mainly helps in this work. Those are stem cells . Also, there are a lot of proteins called growth factors in this bone marrow that help cells grow.
So, in BMAC treatment, a doctor takes a small sample of your bone marrow using a thin needle. Then, this sample is put into a special machine, which separates and concentrates only the most valuable parts of it, which are the stem cells and growth factors we mentioned. To be precise, this creates a solution that is about six times richer in cells and growth factors than a normal bone marrow sample.
How does this treatment work in our body?
Imagine that you have a part of your body that is injured or worn out. It's like a building that needs repair. BMAC is like bringing together the "best workers" and "best materials" needed to build that building.
- The role of stem cells: The most special thing about BMAC is that it contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) . These cells have an amazing ability. That is, they can become any tissue, such as muscle, cartilage (the smooth part of our joints), or bone, as needed. So when these cells are injected into the damaged area, they create the new cells needed there and begin to restore that area.
- Reducing inflammation: Usually, when we have an injury somewhere in our body, the area swells and becomes red. We call it inflammation. Although this is part of the healing process, if it continues for a long time, it causes damage. It can cause scar tissue to form in that area. Scar tissue is not as flexible and functional as healthy tissue that was originally there. The growth factors in BMAC control this unnecessary inflammation, reduce the formation of scars, and help healthy tissue grow.
Simply put, BMAC therapy is a natural way to repair damaged tissue by using your own body's healing power, without taking anything from outside.
What conditions can be treated with the BMAC vaccine?
Although this treatment is still new, doctors are successfully testing it for a variety of conditions. Here are a few of them.
| Medical condition/disease | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sports injuries | Fractures, tendonitis, partial tendon rupture. |
| Chronic non-healing wounds | Non-healing wounds on the feet of diabetic patients. |
| Bone and joint diseases | Osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease. |
| Oral surgery | To speed up healing when performing dental bone grafts and implants. |
How does this treatment process happen?
The entire process can be divided into three parts. The whole process usually takes about two hours.
1. Bone marrow aspiration
First, the doctor will take a sample of your bone marrow. This is usually taken from your lower back, near your pelvic bone . Don't worry, the area will be numbed before this is done. So you won't feel any pain. Once numb, a thin needle will be inserted and a small amount of bone marrow will be taken using a syringe.
2. Processing of bone marrow extract
Next, the bone marrow sample is placed in a special centrifuge and spun rapidly. This separates the different parts of the bone marrow into layers. The doctor then separates out the layer containing the most valuable stem cells and growth factors and prepares it as a vaccine. This is done while you are there. This takes about 30 minutes.
3. BMAC injection
Now is the final step. This prepared BMAC extract is injected into the area of your body that needs to be treated. To give the injection in the exact right place, the doctor may use a scanning technique such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy . The injection site is numbed before the injection, so you won't feel much pain.
Once all this is done, you can go home. You may feel a little sore and bruised at the injection site for a few days. You can get relief by applying ice to it and taking the usual painkillers that your doctor recommends.
What are the benefits and risks of BMAC treatment?
Like any medical treatment, this one has benefits and minor risks.
| Benefits | Risks |
|---|---|
| Reduces symptoms such as swelling, pain, and stiffness in the joints. | Temporary pain and swelling at the injection site (this is very common). |
| Accelerates the healing process of non-healing wounds. | Excessive bleeding or infection at the injection site (very rare). |
| Helps to recover quickly from injuries. | Damage to nearby blood vessels or nerves (very rare). |
| Since your own cells are used, the risk of allergies is very low. | There is a small chance that the treatment will not produce any improvement. |
What is the difference between BMAC and PRP?
You may have also heard of a treatment called PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) . Although both of these are treatments that use parts of our own body, there is a big difference between the two.
- PRP: This is done by taking your own blood . That is, the vaccine is made by taking blood from a vein and concentrating the platelets in it. This also contains growth factors.
- BMAC: This is where your bone marrow is taken. The main thing about this is that it contains stem cells that can build new tissue. PRP does not have these live stem cells.
Therefore, BMAC is more potent than PRP in terms of tissue regenerative potential. Sometimes, doctors may use both methods together to achieve the best results.
Take-Home Message
- BMAC is a treatment that uses stem cells and growth factors from your own bone marrow to repair damaged tissue.
- This can be especially beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, non-healing wounds, and sports injuries.
- This is a new treatment that is still being developed, so it is not possible to say that everyone will get the same results.
- Talk to your doctor to find out if this treatment is right for you and what results you can expect.
- This is not surgery. It's a simple procedure that can be done in a few hours and you can go home.
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