Role of prophylactic autologous bone marrow aspirate injection in accelerating union and rehabilitation in long bone fractures in surgically unfit patients

Abstract

Background: Autologus Bone grafting is a commonly performed second surgery in non-union of operated long bones fractures. In some patients surgery is not possible because of anaesthetic complications and other co-mobid conditions, a simple plaster immobilisation may not be sufficient. a simple bone marrow aspiration and fracture site injection would be an alternate to bone graft in these patients. Materials and Methods: This Study included 50 patients divided into two groups A and B, 25 in each group, having fractures of long bones except femur managed with closed reduction and cast application. 13 patients of group A and 14 of B had poor prognosis for union. Group A were treated with immobilisation alone and Group B treated with Immobilisation and Bone marrow aspirate injection. Results: 30.77% patients of poor prognosis attained union at 6 months without Bone marrow aspirate injections(Group A) and 92.86% patients attained union with Bone marrow aspirate injections (Group B). Patients in Group A on an average took 10.3 months to perform full weight bearing whereas Patients in Group B took 6.8 months. Discussion: Bone marrow aspirate injection definitely increase the union rates and decrease the period of immobilisation in long bone fractures. It can be a blessing in patients with medical limitation to surgery.Conclusion: Bone marrow aspirate injection definitely increase the union rates and decrease the period of immobilisation in long bone fractures managed conservatively It can be a blessing in patients with medical limitation to surgery.