How to choose a bone graft substitute for distal radius fracture
Straightforward guidance for surgeons in University Hospitals Cleveland, OH, from Elite Surgical's fracture repair team.
You are fixing a distal radius fracture at University Hospitals Cleveland. The dorsal comminution leaves a void after reduction. You need a graft that stays put, does not interfere with the plate, and remodels quickly. You see granules, putties, and moldable strips on the shelf and are not sure which form to pick.
You have a distal radius fracture with dorsal comminution. That leaves a void after you reduce the fragments. A bone graft substitute fills that gap so new bone can bridge it. The challenge: not all graft forms work the same. Granules can scatter into the wrist joint. A flowable putty fills a contained cavity. A moldable strip holds shape in an uncontained defect. The choice depends on the void.
The graft you choose affects operative time and healing. A syringe-based flowable graft mixes fast and injects through a small nozzle, so you don't overpack. A moldable strip takes seconds to shape and stays put against the plate. Both options sit alongside your hardware. They are not load-bearing, so your fixation must provide stability. Using the right form cuts down on post-op migration and revision surgeries.
Before your next distal radius case at University Hospitals Cleveland, talk to Elite Surgical. We can bring ACTIFUSE FLOW and ACTIFUSE SHAPE to your OR for a hands-on look. Match the graft form to your void. For a small, contained defect, reach for the syringe. For a larger, uncontained gap, use the moldable strip. If you need antibiotic delivery, ask about ACTIFUSE ABX. Do not use loose granules in a dorsal comminution. They can migrate into the joint.
After the case, you have a graft that stays exactly where you placed it. The void is filled. New bone grows through the scaffold over the next few months. Your fixation holds. The patient starts early motion without worrying about graft migration. You avoided autograft from the iliac crest, so there is no donor site pain. Just a clean reconstruction.
Other things people in University Hospitals Cleveland ask
bone graft for large tibial plateau defect
Pick a graft that resists compression and supports the articular surface. A moldable, high-porosity graft like ALTAPORE SHAPE packs into irregular voids and stays put. For smaller subchondral gaps, a flowable graft delivered by syringe gives complete fill without leaving dead space. Always use it with rigid internal fixation; the graft is not load-bearing on its own.
weight bearing after tibial plateau fracture with synthetic bone graft
Weight bearing depends on the fixation, not the graft. The graft provides a scaffold for bone ingrowth but does not add immediate structural support. Follow your standard postoperative protocol for the plate and screws. Most patients stay non-weight-bearing for 8 to 12 weeks, with progression based on X-ray healing. The graft will remodel over that time; early loading does not speed it up.
cost of bone graft substitute for calcaneus fracture
Calcaneus fractures often need 5cc to 10cc of graft. Price it by volume, not by level. Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE are priced per cc. Ask your rep for a per-case cost breakdown that includes the delivery system. Compare that to the cost of a second surgery if the void is left unfilled or collapses.
synthetic bone graft safe open fracture
Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE are inorganic and do not provide a food source for bacteria the way allograft can. They can be used in a contaminated field after thorough debridement and irrigation. Many surgeons place the graft at the index procedure to maintain space and deliver local antibiotics mixed into the graft. If there is gross purulence, stage the grafting for a second look 48 to 72 hours later.
ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE SHAPE fracture
For narrow, deep voids where you need the graft to flow into crevices, use ACTIFUSE FLOW. Its syringe delivery lets you place it precisely without overpacking. For a wide, shallow defect that needs to hold its shape while you close, ACTIFUSE SHAPE molds to the cavity and stays in place. If the void is both deep and wide, start with FLOW to fill the bottom, then cap it with SHAPE.
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Elite Surgical handles fracture repair in University Hospitals Cleveland and the area around it.