Surgeons Hail Bone Stem Cell Breakthrough

Surgeons are using stem cells to fix broken bones that won't mend on their own.

Patients who faced a life of disability or even an amputation because of serious fractures have been able to walk once more.

Fifteen patients have so-far been treated in a ground-breaking clinical trial at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry.

Assessments of the first 10 patients show that 8 have been successfully healed. They are able to drive and return to work. Previous attempts to rejoin the bones using metal pins and plates had all failed.

Consultant surgeon Professor James Richardson said: "Things have worked out quite well. A few patients have needed other procedures, refixation for instance, but the important thing is they're healing."