Autogenous bone marrow and allograft replacement of bone defects in the hand and upper extremities.

The posterior iliac crest has been shown to be an area extremely rich in red active marrow and it therefore provides a source of cells with osteoinductive and osteogenic potential. Concentration of these cells in the presence of routine bone graft enhances local healing of osseous defects and remodeling of graft into healthy bone, even in conditions where bone healing has been noted to be delayed and/or difficult. In a group of 29 patients there were no cases of adverse reactions to bone marrow aspiration or autogenous transplantation. Twenty-five of the 29 patients (86%) showed osseous union by 3 months postsurgery, while 28 of the 29 patients (96%) had complete incorporation at 6 months.