Many patients in Tampa prefer BMAC injections over surgery. It’s a same-day outpatient procedure that can take roughly 2 hours on average, giving them the flexibility to squeeze in an appointment when it’s convenient for them while minimizing recovery time. This guide explains what happens during those couple of hours during BMAC therapy to help you prepare for your upcoming appointment.
Schedule your BMAC injection today at Orthopaedic Medical Group Tampa Biologics. Call our team today for more information.
Before The Procedure
Preparation for a BMAC injection is straightforward. During your consultation, your orthopedic specialist will review your medical history, imaging, and symptoms to determine if you are a good candidate. You may be advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications for a period of time before your appointment, as they can interfere with the healing response.
On the day of the procedure, patients typically arrive at the office without the need for general anesthesia. Because BMAC injections are performed on an outpatient basis, you can return home the same day.
Step 1: Bone Marrow Collection
The first step of the procedure involves harvesting bone marrow, usually from the back of the pelvic bone (iliac crest). The area is cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure comfort. Using a specialized needle, your physician carefully extracts a small amount of bone marrow.
Most patients report feeling pressure rather than pain during this step, and the process typically takes only a few minutes.
| The posterior iliac crest (hip) is the most common site for bone marrow extraction for its high stem cell yield. |
Step 2: Processing The Bone Marrow
Once collected, the bone marrow is placed into a centrifuge. This machine spins the sample at high speed to separate and concentrate the most beneficial components, including stem cells and growth factors.
This processing step usually takes about 10–15 minutes. The end result is a highly concentrated solution known as bone marrow aspirate concentrate, or BMAC.
| Patients often do not feel pain or discomfort during this phase as the extraction area is numbed beforehand. |
Step 3: Guided Injection
After the BMAC is prepared, your physician injects it directly into the targeted area. To ensure precision, imaging guidance such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy is often used. This allows the provider to place the concentrate exactly where it is needed for optimal results.
The injection itself is quick and typically well tolerated, with minimal discomfort.
What To Expect After The Procedure
Following the injection, patients may experience mild soreness or swelling at the treatment site for a few days. This is a normal part of the healing response. Most patients can resume light activities within 24–48 hours, although strenuous activity should be avoided for a short period.
| Orthobiologic treatment specialists in Tampa may use an ultrasound or fluoroscopic guidance for increased accuracy when delivering the BMAC shot. |
Post BMAC Injection Recovery
Patients should expect to follow minimal care instructions when recovering from a BMAC injection in Tampa. Orthobiologic treatment may exhibit less intensive symptoms compared to surgery, but the post-injection soreness may still prove to be troublesome for many patients.
Soreness after a BMAC shot typically dissipates after a few days. For faster recovery, patients are advised to avoid anti-inflammatory medications, which could interfere with the natural healing process.
Schedule Your BMAC Therapy In Tampa at Orthopaedic Medical Group Tampa Biologics
Call (813) 684-BONE (2663) today to learn more about BMAC injections or to schedule a consultation appointment. Orthopaedic Medical Group Tampa Biologics is your trusted choice for professional orthobiologic treatment near you.
