Our Same-Day Stem Cell Protocol is called a same-day procedure, because the stem cells are harvested and reinjected on the same day. However, for most patients the complete protocol is actually a series of injections that happen over the course of about a week, depending on your unique situation. These injections include a preinjection, the same-day stem cell extraction and reinjection procedure, followed by a post-injection of multiple proprietary platelet mixes a few days later. On the day of your stem cell procedure, you will first have a blood draw from a vein in your arm. This will be processed in the lab along with your stem cell sample. When you are prepared for the first step of your stem cell procedure, your doctor will thoroughly numb the back of the hip and take a small bone marrow sample through a needle. The procedure we use is called a bone marrow aspirate. This is different than a bone marrow biopsy, which can be painful. The bone marrow aspiration process is often described by patients as being comfortable. While your cells are being processed by a Regenexx Lab Technician, you will have some downtime to relax. A short period later, you will be ready for the second part of the procedure, where the doctor will reinject your stem cells and natural growth factors from your blood platelets using advanced imaging guidance into the area in need of repair (real time fluoroscopy or musculoskeletal ultrasound, using your MRI to plan the injection). This allows the doctor to pinpoint the exact location of the injection, as well as the dispersion of the cells into the tissues. The goal is to deliver much greater numbers of stem cells to the injured area than your body can deliver on its own.