ABSTRACT
Context: Bone marrow has been shown to contain osteo-progenitor cells. Percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection (PABMI) encourages early treatment of delayed union and non-union to expedite healing and minimize complications from prolong immobilization. Aims and objectives: To assess the outcome of PABMI treatment in delayed and non-union of long bones. Study design: Prospective study Participants and procedures: 24 cases (33 bones) of Delayed and non-union of long bones were selected. Percutaneous autologous bone marrow injection treatment was adopted for fracture healing. Change in pattern of union was followed after 12 weeks by clinical and radiological study. Results: 90% of tibial fractures, 66.66% of radial fractures and 50% of ulna fractures show clinical and radiological union. 100% of the fractures with no gap at the fracture site united, where the gap was less than 1 cm, 85% of bone united, in only 1 case the gap was more than 1 cm and it failed to unite. 7 out of 9 bones in hypertrophic non-union united, whereas 4 out of 6 bones in atrophic non-union united. Conclusion: Percutaneous autologous bone marrow grafting is an effective and safe method for the treatment of diaphyseal non union. We strongly believe that an injectable preparation that combines marrow with osteoinductive and osteoconductive agents should virtually eliminate the need for open harvesting and operative grafting of the problems associated with fracture healing.