Preserving Joints, Prolonging Active Lifestyles

What Is Cell Therapy?

Cell therapy involves harvesting mesenchymal signaling cells (MSCs, previously called "stem cells") from your body, processing them and then injecting the concentrated cells into the area of pain or injury. The two cell therapy options are bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT). BMAC harnesses your body's powerful healing cells, taken from your bone marrow, while MFAT is derived from your own fat tissue. Both of these procedures are same day procedures that promote improving the health of your joints or tendons by reducing inflammation, promoting tissue repair to provide long-lasting pain relief when used in cases that need a stronger signaling that PRP can provide.

ROC does NOT offer "stem cell" injections of placenta or cord blood products from a vial. These products are prohibited by the FDA (and most do not contain any actual cells).

What Can I Expect?

During cell therapy, you can expect a straightforward, in-office, procedure which takes a total of 90 minutes, including the time we process your cells in our lab. For BMAC, we will harvest bone marrow from your iliac crest (pelvis bone) and concentrate it to harness your body's natural healing cells. This concentrated solution is then injected into the affected area. Similarly, MFAT involves performing a mini-liposuction and then processing the harvested tissue which is then delivered to the desired joint tendon.

After the injection, you may feel soreness or stiffness, similar to what you'd feel after exercise. This typically fades within a few days. Most patients begin to notice reduced pain and improved joint movement within a few weeks as the process takes effect.