Abstract: Background: Cells aspirated from bone marrow have been shown to provide stimulus for osteogenesis in animal experiments and in clinical evaluation of bone graft and bone substitutes. Despite this osteogenic characteristic, the clinical use of marrow as an osteogenic source has remained limited. The marrow is harvested by means of needle aspiration from the patient's pelvic bone and is then injected percutaneously at the nonunion site. This method offers the advantage of treating fracture-healing problems without operative exposure of either the donor or the recipient site.
Aim: The purpose of this study was to ascertain the osteogenic potential of autologous bone marrow injection and its effectiveness in the management of delayed union and nonunion.
Material and Methods: Autologous marrow injection was used to stimulate healing in 26 out of 34 patients were males. patients with delayed union and nonunion of fracture of the long bones This prospective study was done in Orthopaedic department of Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital in Laheriasarai, Darbhanga over a period of 2 years (2018 – 2020).
Surgical Technique: Bone marrow aspirated from the iliac crest was injected at the fracture site.
Results: Marrow stimulated callus formation sufficient to unite in delayed unions and nonunions immobilized with cast or intramedullary nails.
Conclusion: Bone marrow injection was as effective as open autogenous grafting but with considerably less complications. Thus, the technique provides a reliable source of osteogenic stem cells with numerous advantages compared with standard open grafting techniques.
