2023, Vol. 7 Issue 4, Part A
Abstract: Background and Objectives: Fracture healing is a complex series of events involving the array of biological as well as biomechanical processes. Some, in the setting of an unfavorable cellular microenvironment and mechanical instability, some fractures unpredictably end up in delayed union despite interventions. Stem cell therapy has been the choice of treatment in many conditions because of their regeneration potential into different cells and tissues. Bone marrow is one of the richest sources of these mesenchymal stem cells which act as osteoprogenitor cells. This study aims to present the functional outcome of autologous bone marrow injection in the treatment of delayed union of lower limb fractures.
Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethical committee permission and patient consent, the study was conducted on 30 patients aged above 18 years, who presented with delayed union of long bones of lower limb after 3 months at BIRRD Hospital Tirupati during Janaury 2022 to Janaury 2023. Patients with bone marrow disease, pathological fractures, and active infection were excluded.
Results: The average age of the subject was 40 years and male: female was 9:1. The average union time was around 18weeks. 16.7% of the patients had union at 2 months, 36.7% at 4 months, 40% at 6 months and 6.7% had absent union. The result was satisfactory in 28 patients and poor in 2 patients.
Conclusion: After our follow up of 30 patients for a period of 6 months post bone marrow aspirate injection, we observed that there was accelerated bone healing. The procedure is simple, cost effective, easily reproducible with nil or minimal complications.