Stem cells in bone marrow have osteogenic characteristics; in other words they can become osteoblasts. When stem cells are placed in an environment that has the qualities of osteoinduction and osteoconduction then the stem cells become osteoblasts and begin forming bone. In order to provide an environment for bone to form that can heal a fracture site, surgeons must stabilize a fracture with internal fixation, external fixation or casting. This keeps the site from moving so quality bone can form.

The surgeons with the Bone Healing team utilize the principals of bone healing to provide the best environment for difficult to heal fractures. Percutaneous bone marrow injection to stimulate bone formation is a treatment option offered at the Denver Clinic. Autologous bone marrow is taken (aspirated) from a patient’s iliac crest (pelvic bone). This aspirate is mixed with a demineralized bone matrix that contains the osteoinductive and the osteoconductive properties necessary for bone to form. The mixture is injected into the nonunion site under fluoroscopic guidance.