Bone graft: Uses, types, and recovery
In this article, learn about the uses of a bone graft, the different types, and the possible risks.
What is a bone graft?
A person may need a bone graft if their body is unable to produce enough new bone in certain situations.
Bone grafts can help in the treatment of:
- fractures, especially if they are not healing properly
- bone defects, including:
- infections
- osteonecrosis, which is the loss of blood supply to the bone
- trauma
- injuries
- benign tumors and cysts
- birth abnormalities
- smoking
- advanced age
- a suppressed immune system
- diabetes
- Autografts, where surgeons use bone from the person’s own body.
- Allografts, where surgeons take bone from a deceased donor.
- fractures that are not joining properly
- benign tumors and cysts
- cranioplasty
- hand surgery
- dental procedures
- cranioplasty
- screws
- wires
- cables
- plates
- pins
- nerve injury
- infection
- bleeding
- decreased mobility
- cosmetic defects
- chronic pain
- failure of the graft to accomplish its goal
There are risk factors that increase the likelihood of a fracture not healing. These include:
There are two sources of bone for biological substitutes:
Below are some examples of bone grafts and their common uses.
De-mineralized bone matrix
This graft comprises bone that is 93 percent collagen. It also contains growth factors to help the bone grow.
One of its main benefits is that it rarely causes an immune response. Doctors typically use it as filler, rather than as a complete bone substitute.
De-mineralized bone matrix can help in the treatment of:
Platelet-rich plasma
This substitute has a low infection rate but is not strong enough to be a stand-alone bone substitute.
Hydroxyapatite
Hydroxyapatite is a mineral that occurs in bones and teeth. It consists of calcium phosphate, which is what makes bones and teeth hard.
Doctors may use hydroxyapatite for:
Corals
This substitute has a porous structure similar to spongy bone. It can also act as a growth factor carrier to aid bone repair.
It has a slow reabsorption rate but does not cause inflammation.
A person will typically be under general anesthetic during a bone graft procedure.
A surgeon will make an incision and then place the bone substitute in the damaged area.
They may use additional tools and supports to keep the graft in place, including:
The surgeon will close the wound with stitches. Doctors will monitor a person for several hours after the procedure. Before they discharge the individual, they will also provide instructions on how to help prevent infections.
Risks
Risks of a bone graft procedure include:
Recovery
The recovery process depends on many factors, including the type of surgery and the person’s age, physical health, and overall health.
Recovery time can be anywhere from 2 weeks to over 2 months.
The surgeon will provide in-depth instructions for the recovery period. They may also prescribe pain medications.
Eating a healthful diet and not smoking are essential for a good recovery. It is also vital to speak to a doctor or surgeon before purchasing any over-the-counter (OTC) medications in case they interfere with bone growth and healing.
Some people may have a drain in their wound after surgery. If this is the case, a doctor will provide them with instructions on how to look after it.
A person will need to return for follow-up appointments so that a doctor can remove the drain and monitor the healing process.
Source: Read Full Article
