The management of nonunion and delayed union of fractures by percutaneous autologous bone marrow transplantation

Objective To study the effect of percutaneous autologous bone marrow transplantation for the management of nonunion and delayed union of fractures. Methods Fifteen cases were enrolled, of which 11 cases were nonunion and 4 cases were delayed union. The autologous red marrow was injected into the site of the nonunion or delayed union under C-arm image intensifier. Every case had the X-ray follow-up regularly. Results 12 cases got union in 3~11 months. 3 cases remained nonunion. No complication such as heterotopic ossification was found. Conclusions Autologous bone marrow transplantation is an alternative for nonunion or delayed union of fractures.