Bone graft

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Bone graft - series

A bone graft is surgery to place new bone into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects.

Autograft; Allograft

The new bone can be taken from the patient's own healthy bone (this is called an autograft) or from frozen, donated bone (allograft).

A surgeon makes a cut over the bone defect. The bone graft is shaped and inserted into and around the area. The new bone is held in place with pins, plates, or screws. Stitches are used to close the wound. A splint or cast is usually used to prevent injury or movement while healing.

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: 10/23/2006
Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.