Bone grafting (patient information)

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Overview
A bone graft is surgery to place new bone or bone substitutes into spaces around a broken bone or bone defects. It is a transplant of bone tissue. Surgeons use bone grafts to repair and rebuild diseased bones in your hips, knees, spine, and sometimes other bones and joints. Grafts can also repair bone loss caused by some types of fractures or cancers. Once your body accepts the bone graft, it provides a framework for growth of new, living bone.

How is a bone graft made?
A bone graft can be taken from the patient's own healthy bone. This is called an autograft. Autograft bone often comes from your ribs, hips or a leg.

A bone graft can also be made from frozen, donated bone (allograft). Most allograft bone comes from donors who have died. Tissue banks screen these donors and disinfect and test the donated bone to make sure it is safe to use.

In some cases, a man-made (synthetic) bone substitute is used.

No matter where the bone graft comes from, the surgery will be the same. A surgeon makes a cut over the bone defect. The bone graft is shaped and inserted into and around the area. It 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.

Why is a bone graft performed?
Bone grafts are used to:
 * Fuse joints to prevent movement
 * Repair bone loss from broken bones (fractures) or cancers
 * Repair injured bone that has not healed

Where to find medical care for Bone grafting?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Bone grafting

Recovery
Recovery time depends on the injury or defect being treated and the size of the bone graft. Your recovery from the procedure may take as little as 2 weeks, or as much as 3 months. The bone graft itself will take up to 3 months or longer to heal. Vigorous exercise may be restricted for up to 6 months.

You will need to keep the bone graft area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you instructions about showering.

Do not smoke. Smoking slows down or prevents bone healing. If you smoke, it is more likely to graft will fail.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Outlook for a bone graft is very good. Most bone grafts help the bone defect to heal with little risk of graft rejection.

Possible complications
All surgeries come with a risk of complication.

The risks for any anesthesia include:
 * Reactions to medications
 * Problems breathing

The risks for bone grafting surgery include:
 * Bleeding
 * Infection
 * Pain at the place on the body where the bone was removed.

There is also a risk that the bone graft may fail, although this is rare. Smoking increases this risk.