The most important source of stem cells is bone marrow. Bone marrow is located in the centers of long bones, such as the bones in your arms, forearms, thighs, and legs.
The pelvic bone contains the highest concentration of stem cells. Therefore, the bone marrow in your pelvic bone is the most common source for harvesting stem cells.
The stem cells are drawn out of the bone marrow with a needle, in a similar way that blood is drawn from your arm for tests.
This large supply of stem cells is then inserted into the injury site.
This eliminates the time it would take for the stem cells to reach the injury on their own and delivers them in a higher concentration, which speeds the healing process.
Bone marrow aspirate is effective in the treatment of both osseous defects and nonunions, and less commonly used for bone grafts.