Abstract
Purpose
Fracture union is a complex biological process, which depends upon several systemic and local factors. Disturbance of any of these factors may lead to nonunion of the fracture. These nonunions have a huge impact on quality of life as well as socioeconomical aspects. The platelets on activation release a number of growth factors and differentiation factors, which play important role in fracture healing. This study aimed to look for efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of established fracture nonunions of long bones.
Methods
A total of 94 patients with established nonunion of long bone (35 tibia, 30 femur, 11 humerus, 4 radius, 12 ulna, 2 with both radius and ulna) were included in this study. We injected 15-20 ml of autologous platelet-rich plasma (>2,000,000 platelets/μl) under image intensifier at each nonunion site. The fracture union was evaluated clinically and radiologically regularly at monthly interval till 4 months.
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