To evaluate the initial cl inical effect of the autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il ium periosteum transplantation in treatment of problematic nonunion. Methods From January 2004 to July 2006, 12 patients (13 l imbs)with problematic nonunion were treated with autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il iumperiosteum. There were 8 males and 4 females, aged 17-58 years old. The position of nonunion were the tibia in 7 l imbs, the femur in 3 l imbs, the humerus in 2 l imbs. The operated number was 1-4, mean 2.5. The time from injury to therapy was 13 months to 9 years, mean 47.6 months. The bone defect distance was 6-30 mm (mean 15 mm) through 1 ∶ 1 X-rays before operation. Eleven l imbs were treated by internal fixation (10 l imbs by the bone nail and 1 l imb by the l imited contact-dynamic compression plate), 2 l imbs were treated by the external fixation. The X-ray films were taken at 1 day, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 months after operation to observe fracture union. Results All patients were followed up for 12-26 months (mean 17.5 months) and achieved union within 4-7 months (mean 6 months). No deformity of rotation, angulation and crispation occurred in 13 l imbs, but functional impairment occurred in 6 l imbs after union of fracture. Conclusion Autologous bone marrow integrating artificial bone and il ium periosteum transplantation for treatment of problematic nonunion has the satisfactory result.