Stem cell therapy for fracture non-union
Stem cell use is a novel biological treatment that can potentially revolutionize management of fracture non-union. A recent review in Journal of Orthopaedic surgery by Thurairajah et al reviews the updated concepts in bone healing and application of stem cells for cases with non-union. Current techniques for stem cell harvesting involve bone marrow aspirate (BMA) through a percutaneous incision at the iliac crest, anterior or posterior superior iliac spine. Mesenchymal stem cells can be cultured from BMA in the laboratory or in operating room with the help of centrifugation devices. Based on the literature review prepared by the authors, most of the patients in these studies achieved fracture union after a stem cell therapy. This biological boost facilitates initiation of the healing process by differentiating into osteoblastic cell lines and has low complication rates. The original article by the link.