Publication:

Our experience with percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection in the management of delayed and nonunion of long bone fractures

Background Various modalities of treatment are available for the management of delayed and nonunion of long bone fractures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection in the management of these fractures and to compare the results with studies of other authors as available in literature.

Methods 15 patients with delayed and nonunion of long bone fractures were studied between January 2013 to January 2015 and were followed up for a period of 1 year. The patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated at regular time intervals at follow up.

Results The age of the patients ranged from 28 to 60 years with the mean age being 44.2 years. There was a male preponderance in our study with the male to female ratio being 2:1. The left side was more commonly affected as compared to the right. The mean time to radiological appearance of callus was 6.4 weeks. The mean time to clinical union was 7.33 weeks while the mean time to radiologic union was 13.4 weeks. We had a union rate of 93.3% in our series with one fracture going in for failure of union.

Conclusions Percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection is a minimally invasive, safe and cost effective option in the management of delayed and nonunion of long bone fractures and gives good functional results.