Bone graft

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Overview

Recovery

Risks

Bone graft

Definition:

A bone graft is surgery to place new bone into spaces around a broken bone or in between holes and defects in bone. The new bone can be taken from the patient's own healthy bone (this is called an autograft) or from frozen, donated bone (allograft).

Alternative Names:

Autograft; Allograft

Description:

An cut is made over the bone defect and the bone graft is shaped and inserted into and around the defect. The graft is held in place with pins, plates, or screws. The incisions are stitched closed. A splint or cast is usually used to prevent injury or movement while healing.

Indications:

Bone grafts are used to:

Repair broken bones (fractures) that have bone loss
Repair injured bone that has not healed
Fuse joints to prevent movement

Review Date: 10/27/2004
Reviewed By: Kevin B. Freedman, M.D., M.S.C.E., Sports Medicine,Orthopaedic Specialists, Bryn Mawr, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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