Over the past decade, the use of orthobiologics as a new therapy for the treatment of various musculoskeletal problems has increased very steeply. Lately, there are numerous treatments available for these problems, nonetheless, the applications of autologous blood-derived products, such as Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), particularly, is increasing. PRP is well known for its effectiveness in the treatment of cartilage, bone, and muscle tissues. Although BMAC has produced promising results for the same reasons, its use in clinical studies is still in its early stages when compared to PRP. Both products have the capacity to initiate healing processes, mostly through different mechanisms.

Let’s find out the answers to some of the questions about PRP and BMAC crossing your minds:

How do Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) stem cells accelerate the healing process?

When your body is wounded, it goes into a healing mode that includes tissue regeneration. Many biological elements, including growth factors and cells, are required for this healing process. Small signaling proteins called growth factors to assist the body in initiating and controlling the healing process. Physicians may be able to reduce or modify inflammation, improve or expedite healing, and allow for pain relief or rapid recovery by delivering these growth factors or cells to the affected area.

Are Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC) stem cells all considered regenerative therapies?

No. PRP is not a regenerative therapy because it uses growth factors to speed up the body’s ability to mend itself.

On the other hand, BMAC is categorized as a regenerative therapy since it has the potential to significantly improve healing and promote tissue regeneration. The “undifferentiated” stem cells extracted from the patient and employed in the BMAC process are “pluripotent,” indicating they could replicate themselves into (or regenerate) many types of tissue. BMAC stem cells come from a patient’s own iliac pelvic bone and are considered “autologous” tissue.

Is there an upper age limit for regenerative therapy with Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC)?

BMAC therapy can help patients under the age of 60 regenerate tissue using their own “pluripotent” stem cells.

The body’s ability to regenerate tissue from autologous (own) stem cells declines as it ages since the number of stem cells produced by humans starts to drop around the age of 40. Autologous BMAC often fails to regenerate after the age of 60 due to a lack of stem cells in the bone marrow. There are essentially no stem cells in the bone marrow to employ between the ages of 70 and 80. Stem cells in the bone marrow are almost non-existent after the age of 80. Due to the reduction of autologous stem cells, patients over 60 years of age benefit from a conjunction of a healing accelerator, such as PRP, and allograft tissues taken from another source for regeneration.

You must be wondering which therapy would suit you. Well, it’s understandable that deciding which of these two revolutionary techniques is suitable for you is difficult to answer in a blog article! As you know, regenerative medicine treatments are not one-size-fits-all; each patient has a unique collection of characteristics that must be gathered, considered, and synthesized by a competent physician in order to decide the optimal course of therapy. If you think a procedure like PRP or BMAC therapy could help your bone-related issues, the first step is to make an appointment with a regenerative medicine expert who is qualified and knowledgeable.

If you are looking for PRP kits and BMC kits, connect with Advancells Group at [email protected]