Percutaneous Autologous Bone Marrow Injections for Delayed or Non-Union of Bones

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate 12 patients with delayed or nonunion of bones treated with bone marrow injections. Methods. 6 men and 6 women aged 15 to 70 (mean, 45) years underwent bone marrow injections for delayed union (n=2) or atrophic non-union (n=10) of the ulna (n=6), femur (n=3), humerus (n=2), or metacarpal (n=1). Bone marrow was aspirated from the anterior iliac crest and injected to the delayed and non-union sites. Two injections were given for children and adolescents, and 3 for adults. The interval between the injections was 6 to 8 weeks. The amount of bone marrow injected was 30 to 40 ml for long bones and 20 ml for metacarpals. Results. Ten of the 12 delayed or non-union of bones healed after bone marrow injections. The mean time for callus formation was 5.8 (range, 3–10) weeks, for clinical union was 7 (range, 4–12) weeks, and for radiological union was 16 (range, 10–24) weeks. Conclusion. Multiple injections of low-volume bone marrow can be used for treatment of delayed or nonunion of bones.