Stem Cell Injections: Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)
Stem cell injections for injured or painful joints can reduce inflammation caused by your immune system, promote healing, improve function and potentially regenerate tissues. At Summit Orthopedics in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, our team of experts provides innovative stem cell therapies for patients looking for an alternative to traditional treatments. Together, we can find a solution to provide pain relief and help you get back to your active life so you can live life at your summit.
Your Regenerative Cells
The human body contains active healing agents with the ability to decrease inflammation and restore healthy joints. Called stem cells, these agents possess unique restorative powers that can help some people achieve less pain and more functionality—without invasive surgical procedures.
Stem cells, also known as mesenchymal stem cells, are a special type of cell that has two important properties:
- They’re able to self-renew, or reproduce themselves exactly.
- They can differentiate, or become other cells that do different things. Stem cells are the only cells in the body that can develop into new cell types.
Harnessing Your Healing Powers
Stem cell injections, also known as stem cell therapy or regenerative medicine, are a nonsurgical procedure that uses your own or a donor’s stem cells to treat damaged, diseased or injured tissue. Adult stem cells can be found in bone marrow, fat, and placental and umbilical cord tissue. The most common area to collect these cells is in
bone marrow.
In a simple procedure, a physician removes bone marrow from the hip bone. Using a centrifuge, technologists create a substance called bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), which is then injected into the joint or affected tissue. The total procedure usually takes about an hour.
The injection triggers your body’s healing response, rebuilding and restoring the tissues of your joint. You can go home soon after your procedure. Your doctor will ask you to come back to the office to monitor the healing process.
What Can Stem Cell Injections Treat?
The most common orthopedic conditions treated with stem cells are osteoarthritis and painful joints. Stem cell injections can help with a variety of conditions, including:
- Knee injuries
- Ligament and joint pain
- Orthopedic and sports injuries
- Rotator cuff tears
- Spinal disk repair for back and neck treatment
- Tendinitis, such as tennis elbow
In clinical trials and countless patient cases, stem cell injections have proven to provide long-term relief. Stem cell therapy works to strengthen the area of injury or concern, possibly allowing you to delay or even avoid surgery.
Are Stem Cell Injections Expensive?
Stem cell injections are currently deemed investigational/experimental by insurance plans and therefore not covered. For this reason, Summit Orthopedics’ business office does not submit BMAC injection charges to insurance companies. Instead, these services are available on a self-pay basis. Costs vary depending on what type of injection is right for you.
A patient financial services representative can talk with you about pricing and payment. You can reach them at (651) 968–5090 for more information
What’s Your Next Step?
If you’ve tried physical therapy and other nonsurgical treatments, but your pain persists and prevents you from doing the things you love to do, a stem cell injection may be a
good option. Stem cell therapy is also a good choice for those who are not eligible for surgery.
To determine if you’re a good candidate for stem cell therapy, set up a comprehensive evaluation with an orthopedic physician. A full medical screening, including a review of
relevant imaging and physical examination, will help you and your doctor choose the best treatment approach for your pain.
The specialists at Summit Orthopedics are experienced in innovative, less invasive alternatives for treating orthopedic injuries. Schedule your consultation at one of our Minneapolis/St. Paul locations to find out if stem cell injections are right for you.
