BONE MARROW ASPIRATE

If you need a bone marrow aspirate, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.

What Is A Bone Marrow Aspirate?

Bone marrow aspirate refers to the process of extracting a sample of bone marrow from a donor’s or patient’s bone for various medical purposes. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue found inside certain bones, primarily in the center of the larger bones such as the hip bones, breastbone (sternum), and the bones of the spine.

Bone marrow contains stem cells, which are precursor cells that can develop into various types of blood cells, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. These blood cells are essential for carrying oxygen, fighting infections, and promoting blood clotting.

The procedure of bone marrow aspirate is typically performed for two primary reasons:

1. Diagnostic purposes: Bone marrow aspirate can be used to diagnose various blood-related disorders, such as leukemia, lymphoma, anemia, and other hematological conditions. By analyzing the bone marrow sample under a microscope and conducting specialized tests, doctors can identify abnormal cell populations and determine the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms.
2. Therapeutic purposes: Bone marrow aspirate is also used as a source of stem cells for various medical treatments, particularly hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) or bone marrow transplantation. In these procedures, healthy stem cells obtained from the donor’s or patient’s bone marrow are transplanted into the recipient’s bloodstream to replace damaged or diseased bone marrow and restore normal blood cell production.

The bone marrow aspirate procedure involves the following steps:

1. Preparation: The patient or donor is typically positioned lying on their side or stomach, and the area where the bone marrow will be extracted is cleaned and sterilized.
2. Local anesthesia: A local anesthetic is used to numb the skin and tissues surrounding the bone marrow site to minimize discomfort during the procedure.
3. Aspiration: Using a specialized needle, the doctor pierces the skin and reaches the bone marrow space. The needle is then inserted into the bone marrow cavity, and a small amount of bone marrow fluid is drawn into a syringe.
4. Sample collection: The bone marrow fluid is collected in the syringe and then sent to the laboratory for analysis or further processing, depending on the purpose of the aspirate.

The bone marrow aspirate procedure is generally safe and well-tolerated, with only minor discomfort during and after the procedure. It is typically performed by hematologists, oncologists, or specialized medical professionals trained in bone marrow procedures. The sample obtained is sent to a laboratory for analysis, and the results play a crucial role in diagnosing and guiding the treatment of various blood disorders.

If you would like to speak to an Orthopedic  Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.