Learn About Bone Graft
A bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects to stimulate healing.
Autograft - bone; Allograft - bone; Fracture - bone graft; Surgery - bone graft; Autologous bone graft
A bone graft can be taken from the person's own healthy bone (this is called an autograft). Or, it can be taken from frozen, donated bone (allograft). In some cases, a manmade (synthetic) bone substitute is used.
You will be asleep and feel no pain (general anesthesia).
During surgery, the surgeon makes a cut over the bone defect. The bone graft can be taken from areas close to the bone defect or more commonly from the pelvis. The bone graft is shaped and inserted into and around the area. The bone graft may need to be held in place with pins, plates, or screws.
Bone grafts are used to:
- Fuse joints to prevent movement
- Repair broken bones (fractures) that have bone loss
- Repair injured bone that has not healed
Risks of anesthesia and surgery in general include:
- Reactions to medicines, breathing problems
- Bleeding, blood clots, infection
Risks of this surgery include:
- Pain at the body area where the bone was removed
- Injury of nerves near the bone grafting area
- Stiffness of the area
Tell your surgeon or nurse if:
- You are or could be pregnant
- You are taking any medicines, including medicines, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription
During the week before your surgery:
- You may be asked to temporarily stop taking medicines that keep your blood from clotting. These medicines are called blood thinners. This includes over-the-counter medicines and supplements such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and vitamin E. Many prescription medicines are also blood thinners.
- Ask your surgeon which medicines you should still take on the day of surgery.
On the day of the surgery:
- Follow instructions about not eating or drinking anything before surgery.
- Take the medicines your provider told you to take with a small sip of water.
- If you are going to the hospital from home, be sure to arrive at the scheduled time.
Recovery time depends on the injury or defect being treated and the size of the bone graft. Your recovery may take 2 weeks to 3 months. The bone graft itself will take up to 3 months or longer to heal.
You may be told to avoid extreme exercise for up to 6 months. Ask your surgeon or nurse what you can and cannot safely do.
You will need to keep the bone graft area clean and dry. Follow instructions about showering.
Do not smoke. Smoking slows or prevents bone healing. If you smoke, the graft is more likely to fail. Be aware that nicotine patches slow healing just like smoking does. You may also be told not to take non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These medicines can slow down bone fusion.
You may need to use a bone stimulator. These are machines that can be worn over the surgical area to stimulate bone growth. Not all bone graft surgeries require the use of bone stimulators. Your surgeon will let you know if you'll need to use a bone stimulator.
Most bone grafts help the bone defect heal with little risk of graft rejection.
New York University
Kenneth Egol is an Orthopedics provider in New York, New York. Dr. Egol is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in Bone Graft. His top areas of expertise are Compartment Syndrome, Acute Pain, Radial Nerve Dysfunction, Bone Graft, and Hip Replacement.
Neurosurgical Care, LLC
. Dr. Kuznits is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Bone Graft. His top areas of expertise are Cervical Spondylosis, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Stenosis, Laminectomy, and Vertebroplasty.
A native of the Tri-Cities’, David Wiles, MD, received his bachelor of science from Auburn University, Ala., and his doctorate of medicine from Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, La. Following, Dr. Wiles completed his general surgery internship and a neurosurgery residency at the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Board certified in neurosurgery, Dr. Wiles has trained under internationally-known spine surgeons, including Kevin Foley, MD, Maurice Smith, MD, and Peter Klara MD. Following his training, Dr. Wiles returned to the Tri-Cities where he established the East Tennessee Brain and Spine Center, intent on bringing leading-edge neurosurgical care to those he knew and loved. Today, Dr. Wiles is president of the East Tennessee Brain & Spine Center. Dr. Wiles has also been actively involved in the development of numerous spinal surgical techniques and devices. Most notably, he has participated in several investigational studies with the Food & Drug Administration. Such experience has allowed him the honor of speaking at international meetings and serving on the Evaluation Committee for ARGOS, the European Association of Research Groups for Spinal Osteosynthesis. Currently, he is privileged to serve as a faculty member at teaching conferences held across the United States for the purpose of training spine surgeons and orthopedic and neurosurgical residents. A member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, the Congress of Neurosurgeons, the Joint Section on Spine and Peripheral Nerves, the North American Spine Society, the World Spine Society, the International Meetings for Advanced Spinal Technologies, and the Cervical Spine Research Society, Dr. Wiles is also a member of the Critical Care Committee at the Johnson City Medical Center. Practicing since 1997, Dr. Wiles and his wife and their three children, make their home in Johnson City. Dr. Wiles is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in Bone Graft. His top areas of expertise are Spinal Stenosis, Subdural Hematoma, Chronic Subdural Hematoma, Microdiscectomy, and Cervical Disc Surgery.
Summary: The aim of this clinical study is to evaluate the efficacy, safety and long-term (radiological and clinical) outcomes during comprehensive care continuum of implanted biocomposite for bone regeneration FlexiOss® compared to the current standard of care in patients with primary acute trauma bone defects. The efficacy, safety and long-term (radiological and clinical) evaluation will be assessed duri...
Summary: This research aims to compare the effectiveness of two bone grafting materials on preserving jawbone integrity after tooth extraction. Following extraction, the jawbone surrounding the removed tooth can shrink, affecting future implant placement. By placing a bone graft material in the extraction socket, we aim to maintain adequate jawbone space for future implants. This study compares how well th...
Published Date: August 27, 2024
Published By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Brinker MR, O'Connor DP. Nonunions: evaluation and treatment. In: Browner BD, Jupiter JB, Krettek C, Anderson PA, eds. Skeletal Trauma: Basic Science, Management, and Reconstruction. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 26.
Seitz IA, Teven CM, Hendren-Santiago B, Reid RR. Repair and grafting of bone. In: Gurtner GC, Pusic AL, eds. Plastic Surgery, Volume 1: Principles. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 20.