Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are believed to have multipotent plasticity
with the capability to differentiate along multiple cell lineages such as cartilage. This
was the foundation on which BMAC has been popularised in the management of
cartilage defects. There have been numerous animal models that have shown clear
benefit of BMAC to augment healing and improve cartilage repair when compared
with traditional cartilage healing techniques; such as micro-fracture. This has been
translated into beneficial studies in humans; as diseases of the articular cartilage have
such a huge socio-economic burden affecting patient health related quality of life.
These pioneering studies have led to a huge increase in the popularity of BMAC as a
biological augment. Its key cellular components and growth promoting factors aid
tissue regeneration and repair with the potential to produce true hyaline articular. This
has clear advantage over the frequently encountered and inferior fibrocartilage from
traditional methods of repair, such as microfracture and mosaicoplasty.
Keywords: Bone Marrow, Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate (BMAC),
Cartilage defects, Osteochondral injuries, Stem Cells.