J Pediatr Orthop B. 2018 Nov 15. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000000571. [Epub ahead of print]

Mesenchymal stem cells as adjuvant therapy for limb lengthening in achondroplasia.

Memeo A¹, Verdoni F², Ingraffia C¹, Rossi L¹, Pedretti L³, D'Amato RD¹, Peretto L¹, Mineo GV³.

Abstract

Staged leg lengthening allows achondroplastic dwarfs to reach nearly normal height, but it takes long periods of external fixation and it can be burdened by delayed unions. Between 2009 and 2013, eight achondroplastic dwarfs showed delayed unions in the callus formation during femoral lengthening stages in our institute. We performed in-situ injections of bone marrow-derived stem cell concentrates. Patients underwent monthly clinical and radiographic assessment for determination of the healing rate. All eight patients showed an improvement in the regenerated bone, with an average healing index of 23.1 days/cm (range: 18.7-23.8 days/cm). The complete recovery of the delayed consolidation took on an average of 5.2 months (range: 2-10 months). The use of cellular therapy in these patients could represent an innovative application.