Bone graft material moved on your post-op CT scan?
What spine fusion patients near Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OH should know.
You had a posterolateral spine fusion with a synthetic bone graft. Now the CT scan shows some material sat outside the fusion bed. You are at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center wondering if that means the graft failed or if you need another surgery. This is more common than many realize.
Small graft migration is often harmless. The material can shift a little before the bone starts to bridge. If the bulk of it stays along the gutters and the hardware, fusion usually progresses fine. The concern comes if it presses a nerve root or floats far from the site. Your CT report should note any contact with neural structures.
If the graft is in a safe spot and you have no new leg pain or weakness, the fix is usually watchful waiting. No extra surgery. You might need an earlier follow-up scan to check bridging bone. A surgeon may charge a few hundred dollars for an office visit and scan review. Revision surgery, if truly needed, can run several thousand dollars depending on your insurance and the hospital.
This week, send the images to your original surgeon for a closer read. Do not assume the fusion is ruined. Ask them specifically whether the graft touches any nerves. Elite Surgical works with your Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center team to supply ACTIFUSE, a synthetic graft with a 93% fusion rate in independent studies and less back pain than BMP-2 in randomized trials. Our reps can review the product characteristics with your surgeon if graft behavior is in question.
Once your surgeon confirms no nerve compression and the graft is stable, the path is clear. You stay on your recovery plan. The fusion matures over the next several months. You get back to walking and daily routines without a second surgery hanging over you.
Other things people in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ask
bone graft harvest site pain alternatives
Stop harvesting from the iliac crest. A synthetic bone graft substitute like ACTIFUSE removes the second surgical site entirely. No harvest means no donor site pain, no extra scar, and one less thing to manage post-op. The fusion rates are the same without the extra morbidity.
bone graft substitute for smokers spine fusion
Look for a synthetic graft with published fusion data in high-risk patients. ACTIFUSE has a 93% fusion rate in an independent spine study, comparable to BMP-2, without the need to harvest hip bone. Discuss smoking cessation, but choose a graft that has shown strong results even when patient compliance is imperfect.
cost of bone graft substitute per level spine fusion
Calculate the all-in cost: graft price, OR time for harvest, donor site pain management, and readmissions for nonunion. A synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE often costs more up front but eliminates harvest-related expenses. Ask your rep for a cost-per-fusion analysis that includes complication avoidance.
best bone graft substitute for multilevel spine fusion
Look for a graft with clinical data in multilevel fusions. A synthetic graft with a high published fusion rate, like ACTIFUSE (93% in a large series), can be a strong choice. Avoid grafts that rely on the patient's own bone growth factors if the patient is a smoker or has poor biology. Consider a moldable form to cover the long fusion bed evenly.
ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE MIS
ACTIFUSE FLOW comes in a syringe for precise, low-pressure delivery into tight bony spaces. ACTIFUSE MIS is a purpose-built system for minimally invasive spine and orthopedic procedures, offering longer reach and controlled placement. If you are working through a small portal and need to fill a far corner, MIS gives you more control. For straightforward contained defects, FLOW is faster.
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Elite Surgical handles spine fusion in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the area around it.