Bone Marrow Stimulation (BMS)

Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is a reparative surgical technique used to treat osteochondral lesions. It involves breaching the subchondral bone plate to stimulate the migration of mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors from the bone marrow into the defect site, promoting repair. The resulting tissue is typically fibrocartilage rather than native hyaline cartilage. Though G-CSF has effects on bone marrow cells, it is a pharmacological agent acting at the level of cell counts rather than musculoskeletal repair through surgical techniques.

Other names

MicrofractureDrillingAbrasion arthroplasty

Breaches subchondral plate to allow mesenchymal stem cells and growth factors from bone marrow to migrate into the defect site, promoting fibrocartilage repair.