Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate and Platelet-rich Plasma Enhanced Bone Healing in Distraction Osteogenesis of the Tibia

40 patients scheduled to undergo bilateral tibial lengthening due to familial short stature were randomized to either a combined group or a non-injection group. The combined group received an injection of bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) following surgery, whereas the non-injection group did not receive any injections following surgery. This was done to determine whether the local injection of BMAC and PRP would enhance callus regeneration. Radiographic evaluations were used to determine outcomes such as the external fixator index (time of external fixation application over amount lengthened), full weight bearing index (time to full weight bearing over amount lengthened), and cortical healing indices, and patients were evaluated for up to 34 months. The results indicated significantly smaller cortical healing and full weight bearing indices in the combined group as compared to the non-injection group. There was no significant difference in external fixator index between groups.