ACTIFUSE FLOW or SHAPE: Which graft for the ankle fusion?
Honest answers from Elite Surgical, foot & ankle fusion specialists in University Hospitals Cleveland, OH.
You’re in the OR at University Hospitals Cleveland with both ACTIFUSE FLOW and ACTIFUSE SHAPE on your shelf. The ankle defect is ready. You need a graft that handles well and fuses fast. This page helps you decide.
ACTIFUSE FLOW comes in a syringe. It flows into tight, irregular gaps. ACTIFUSE SHAPE is a moldable putty. You can pack a larger void and shape it exactly. Both are silicate-substituted calcium phosphate. Your body replaces them with real bone. The choice depends on the defect you are filling.
Cost is similar. Both grafts are covered by insurance when medically needed. The bigger factor is time. FLOW saves a step because you inject it right from the syringe. SHAPE may take an extra minute to mold, but it stays in place without migrating. Fusion rates are the same.
If you have a narrow, hard-to-reach gap, pick FLOW. If you need to build up a defect and contour it, pick SHAPE. Elite Surgical can bring both grafts to your next case at University Hospitals Cleveland. Call us before your ankle fusion. We will have the right tool in your room.
Once the graft is in, your patient’s bone grows through it. The fusion is solid. You chose the right graft for the defect. No second-guessing.
Other things people in University Hospitals Cleveland ask
bone graft substitute not remodeling
Not all synthetics remodel at the same rate. A graft with a highly porous, interconnected scaffold, like ACTIFUSE or ALTAPORE, is built to be replaced by host bone over time. Check your graft's resorption profile. If you need predictable remodeling, choose one with published fusion data for foot and ankle.
weight bearing after ankle fusion with synthetic bone graft
Weight bearing depends on fixation stability, not just the graft. With ACTIFUSE, the scaffold starts remodeling within weeks, but full load is typically allowed after 6-8 weeks if the construct is solid. Check your specific fixation and follow published protocols for tibiotalar fusion with this graft.
bone graft substitute for diabetic ankle fusion
Use a scaffold that remodels into real bone and can handle poor host biology. ACTIFUSE provides an 80% porous structure that the body replaces with living bone, without harvesting from the hip or heel. Published tibiotalar fusion series using this graft show reliable outcomes in compromised patients.
cost of bone graft substitute for ankle fusion
The price depends on the volume of graft needed and the specific product. For a standard ankle fusion, a synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE typically costs less than using a bone graft harvested from the patient when you factor in OR time and donor site complications. Get a quote from your supplier for the exact product and volume.
normal shoes after ankle fusion synthetic bone graft
Most patients can transition to a supportive shoe around 10 to 12 weeks after surgery, once X-rays show the fusion is solid. Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE remodel into real bone, so the timeline is similar to autograft. Always confirm healing on imaging before clearing the patient.
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Elite Surgical handles foot & ankle fusion in University Hospitals Cleveland and the area around it.