The Role of Bone Marrow Concentrate in Orthopedic Care

Published in The Ospina Orthopedic Blog ~ 5 min read ~ Last Updated: August 20, 2025

Harnessing Your Body's Innate Potential

The landscape of medicine is continually evolving. One of the most exciting advancements in recent years is the move toward therapies that work with the body’s innate systems to support its natural ability to repair itself. This field, known as regenerative orthopedics, offers sophisticated, non-surgical options for patients dealing with joint pain, arthritis, and soft tissue injuries.

At the forefront of this field is the use of orthobiologics—powerful substances derived from a patient's own body. One of the most well-researched and promising of these is Bone Marrow Concentrate. This article will demystify the bone marrow concentrate procedure, explaining what it is, how it works, and its role in modern orthopedic care.

What is Bone Marrow Concentrate?

To understand this procedure, we start with the source: your bone marrow. This soft, spongy tissue found in the center of your larger bones is a biological factory, responsible for producing critical cells that circulate throughout your body. It is also a rich reservoir of the key ingredients used in regenerative medicine.

When sampled, the primary components of this powerful biological fluid include: 

• Bone Marrow Concentrate, which contains stem cells: This is the mandated and most precise way to describe this component. These are versatile, undifferentiated cells that have the potential to replicate into various types of musculoskeletal tissue, including cartilage, bone, and tendon. 
• Growth Factors and Cytokines: The concentrate is also rich in a host of powerful proteins that act as signaling molecules. These growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines help orchestrate the repair process, reduce harmful inflammation, and support the health of existing tissue.

It is the combination of these components that makes the procedure a comprehensive tool for influencing the tissue environment. The therapeutic value of this treatment lies in the concentration process. In its natural state, the number of key regenerative cells in bone marrow is quite low—mesenchymal stem cells, for example, make up as little as 0.001% of the total cells. A simple aspiration of bone marrow does not contain a sufficient number of these cells to have a meaningful impact. The bone marrow concentrate procedure utilizes advanced lab processing to separate and concentrate these valuable cells, creating a much more potent injectate designed to support the body's natural repair mechanisms.

The Bone Marrow Concentrate Procedure: A Step-by-Step Overview

For patients, the bone marrow concentrate procedure is a minimally invasive, same-day process performed entirely in the clinic. The Regenexx-SD (Same Day) protocol, a patented method used by physicians in the licensed Regenexx network, involves three key steps: 

1. The Collection (Aspiration): The process begins with a bone marrow aspiration. After the skin and bone in an area at the back of the hip (the iliac crest) are thoroughly numbed with a local anesthetic, the physician uses a specialized needle to draw a small sample of bone marrow. This process is significantly less invasive than a bone marrow biopsy and is generally well-tolerated by patients. 
2. The Concentration (Lab Processing): The collected sample is immediately taken to an on-site lab. There, a highly trained technician uses a centrifuge to separate and isolate the desirable cells, creating the final bone marrow concentrate. This process allows for the creation of a customized dosage tailored to the patient's specific injury. 
3. The Injection (Implantation): Within a few hours of the initial collection, the final bone marrow concentrate is ready. The physician then uses advanced imaging guidance, such as real-time fluoroscopy (X-ray) or musculoskeletal ultrasound, to inject the concentrate with pinpoint accuracy directly into the damaged tissue—whether it's a joint, a tendon, or a ligament. This precision is critical for ensuring the body's own healing agents are placed exactly where they are needed most.

How Does BMC Support the Body’s Natural Healing Process?

When injected into an area of injury or degeneration, such as an arthritic knee or a partially torn rotator cuff, the bone marrow concentrate provides a rich supply of the biological resources needed for tissue maintenance and repair.

In compliant terms, the goal of the procedure is to support the body's natural healing process. The concentrated regenerative cells and growth factors work to improve the local cellular environment, reduce chronic inflammation, and provide the components your body uses to repair and maintain tissue health. This approach is used for a range of moderate-to-severe orthopedic conditions, including osteoarthritis and injuries to tendons and ligaments that have not responded to more conservative care.

An Advanced, Non-Surgical Option

The bone marrow concentrate procedure represents a significant step forward in non-surgical orthopedics. It is a sophisticated treatment that leverages a patient's own concentrated healing components to address the underlying issues of tissue damage and degeneration. This approach is a prime example of evidence-based, patient-centric care that seeks to work with the body to improve pain and restore function.

To learn if a procedure using Bone Marrow Concentrate  is an appropriate option for your joint or tendon condition, the first step is a comprehensive evaluation. Schedule a consultation at Ospina Medical with Dr. Matthew Kohler, a physician in the licensed Regenexx network, to discuss your diagnosis and explore your full range of treatment options!

A Riley Publication ~ Branded Thought Leadership by Riley Partners and Publications, Inc.

Medically Reviewed by: Matthew Kohler, MD

References

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Foundation Pain & Spine. (2024). Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Injection in Dallas.

Kim, S. J., et al. (2020). Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate: Its Uses in Osteoarthritis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(9), 3224.

Mass General Brigham. (n.d.). Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) Procedure.

Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush. (n.d.). Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC).

Regenexx. (2025). Frequently Asked Questions About Regenexx Procedures.

Regenexx Las Vegas. (n.d.). Bone Marrow Concentrate (Sometimes Referred to as Stem Cell Therapy).

Richard Kim Medicine. (n.d.). How Do Bone Marrow Stem Cells Work in the Body?

Sampson, S., et al. (2017). A systematic review of the concept and clinical applications of Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Orthopaedics. SICOT J, 3, 18.

San Diego Orthobiologics Medical Group. (2020). Healing with Bone Marrow Cells.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.