How Bone Marrow Concentrate Can Be Used to Improve Surgical Outcomes

Although technology has made surgery relatively commonplace in our modern world, that doesn’t make the prospect of something invasive any less scary for the patient. Beyond the procedure itself, the recovery process can be particularly daunting as you may be facing pain, discomfort, and limited activities.

But what if there was a therapy available that could improve your outcome after surgery, even addressing that pain issue? Here is how a revolutionary treatment using Bone Marrow Concentrate can be used to improve surgical outcomes.

What is Bone Marrow Concentrate?

Bone Marrow Concentrate (BMC), also referred to as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC), is a cellular therapy using material from bone marrow. At Texas Orthobiologics, we use the patient’s own bone marrow to minimize the potential risk of disease transmission or allergic reaction.

Bone marrow is rich in growth factors and cytokines and other proteins. Some of the most important and studied include:

• Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP)
• Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF)
• Alpha 2 macroglobulin (A2M)
• Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF)
• Insulin Like Growth Factor 1,2 (IGF-1,2)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)

Bone marrow also contains two types of precursor cells:  Mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells.   These cell types are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate into a variety of cell types with different specialized functions. The cells harvested during BMAC also many substances that start, promote, and direct the healing response all over the body.  This function is called paracrine and may be the most important thing that these “stem cells” do in the healing and regenerative response to injury and disease.

Improving surgical outcomes with BMAC

The best way to improve surgical outcomes is to take advantage of anything that will reduce pain and promote healing. Because BMAC has the potential to reduce pain, promote healing, and repair damaged tissue, patients may be more comfortable post-surgery and have the opportunity to heal faster and more thoroughly.

This is a cutting-edge therapy that we make available to all our orthopedic surgery patients whenever appropriate based on scientific evidence. 

What to expect with BMAC and surgery

If your orthopedic surgeon recommends BMAC as part of your treatment, it is done while you are under anesthesia.  The actual technique is the same as what is done under local anesthesia in the office!  Your post-surgical care will be the same whether or not you have BMAC as part of the surgical procedure. You’ll be provided with a personalized plan of care depending on your needs and goals.

Texas Orthobiologics:  Experts in BMAC

There aren’t many experts in BMAC, and there are even fewer who are also board-certified orthopedic surgeons like Dr. Don Buford of Texas Orthobiologics. Dr. Buford is the leading authority on regenerative medicine in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. To find out if you are a candidate for BMAC or another regenerative medicine treatment, contact us today.