Clinical observation of auxiliary steel plate combined with autologous platelet rich plasma for the treatment of bone nonunion after intramedullary fixation of long bone fractures

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of utilizing auxiliary steel plates in conjunction with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy for the treatment of bone non-union following intramedullary fixation of long shaft fractures in the limbs. Methods From January 2020 to September 2022, 33 patients with non union after intramedullary fixation of long shaft fractures of the limbs admitted to the orthopedic trauma ward of the 960th Hospital of the PLA Jonit Logistics Support Force were selected as the research subjects, including 28 males and 5 females.The age range was 22 to 55 years, with an average of (37.2±6.7) years. The patients were divided into the experimental group (n=15) and the control group (n=18) in order of admission. All patients retained intramedullary fixation, and the fracture end was fixed with reconstruction steel plates. According to the random number table method, 15 cases in the experimental group were treated with autologous iliac bone transplantation combined with intraoperative and postoperative autologous PRP. The activated autologous PRP was fully fused with the patient′s autologous iliac bone during surgery and transplanted to the bone defect site.Ultrasound guidance was used to accurately locate the location. Autologous PRP was injected 10 mL/(person) occasion on the 14 th and 28 th day after surgery respectively. Eighteen cases in the control group received the treatment of autologous iliac bone transplantation at the bone defect site only. The clinical healing status of fractures between the two groups of patients were observed and compared. Results All 33 patients were followed up for a complete period of 9 to 30 months, with an average of (11.8±2.7) months. Compared with the control group, the clinical fracture healing time (months) was 5.25±1.18 vs 7.27±1.38 (P<0.05); The healing rate was 93.3%(14/15)vs 61.1%(11/18) (P<0.05). Conclusion The combination of intraoperative and postoperative use of autologous PRP and auxiliary steel plates could promote the healing of bone non union after intramedullary fixation of long shaft fractures in the limbs, which is beneficial for early functional exercise of patients.

Keywords

• platelet-rich plasma
• long shaft fracture
• bone nonunion