Stem cell therapy for fracture non-union: The current evidence from human studies

Abstract

Non-union is a taxing complication of fracture management for both the patient and their surgeon. Modern fracture fixation techniques have been developed to optimise the biomechanical environment for fracture healing but do not guarantee union. Patient biology has a critical role in achieving union and stem cell therapy has potential for improving fracture healing at a cellular level to treat or avoid non-union. This article reviews the current understanding of non-union, concepts in bone healing and the current literature on the application of stem cells in non-union.