ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effect of autologous red bone marrow injection in treating focal bone defect in postoperative nonunion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen patients with focal bone defect in postoperative nonunion (7 cases in tibia, 2 cases in femur, 4 cases in humerus), including 8 males and 5 females with the mean age of 32.5-years-old (ranging from 15 to 60 years). The bone defects were treated with autologous red bone marrow injection (1 time per 2 weeks, 5 times in total) and the X-rays of AP and LP were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Thirteen patients were followed up from 6 to 12 months with an average of 7.5 months. According to results of X-ray pictures, 13 cases obtained bone defect recovered completely, and the average time of union was 4 months.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Autologous red bone marrow injection has ascendancy such as less wound and clear clinical effect, which can accelerate bone healing and promotes functional recovery of limb. It is a good method to treat focal bone defect in postoperative nonunion.</p>