Traumatic Humeral Shaft Non-union With Ulnar Nerve Transection: An Orthobiologics Success Story.

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Christopher Williams, Emory University; Travis Redmond, Emory University; Cleo Stafford, Emory University; Walter Sussman, Tufts Medical Center
• Language: English
• Date: 2023-02
• Publisher: Cureus
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2023, Williams et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.35189
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Cureus
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 2
• Start Page: e35189
• End Page: e35189
• Keywords: bone marrow aspirate concentrate; platelet rich plasma; platelet lysate; non-union; bmac; humeral fracture; ulnar nerve transection; orthobiologics
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Rehabilitation and Therapy; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Long bone non-union is a detrimental, yet common condition that affects many individuals after injury. It can lead to significant pain and weakness that may impact lifetime productivity and quality of life. This report describes a patient who suffered from greater than two years of a distal humerus fracture non-union along with an ulnar nerve transection that failed traditional surgical management and underwent a percutaneous injection with bone marrow aspirate concentrate, platelet-rich plasma, and platelet lysate, demonstrating subsequent fracture resolution and strength improvement.