Weight bearing after tibial plateau fracture with synthetic bone graft?
Straight answers from Elite Surgical on fracture repair in University Hospitals Cleveland, OH.
Your patient just asked the question everyone asks after a tibial plateau fracture: when can I put weight on this leg? You packed the void with a synthetic bone graft during surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland, and now you need a clear protocol that accounts for the graft. The plate and screws carry the load, not the graft.
Your patient wants to know when they can walk. They think the graft must be ready to take weight. It is not. A synthetic bone graft like ACTIFUSE is a scaffold for new bone to grow through. It fills the void left by the fracture. It does not add immediate structural strength. The plate and screws hold the joint in place. The graft only gives bone a path across the gap. Weight bearing follows the fixation, not the graft. That is the key point to remember.
Most patients stay non-weight-bearing for 8 to 12 weeks. The timeline depends on the plate and screw construct, the size of the void, and how the bone heals on X-ray. At University Hospitals Cleveland, you often check films at 6 and 10 weeks. A small defect in a young patient may allow earlier partial weight. A large void or soft bone can push full weight to 14 weeks or more. The graft remodels during those weeks and does not change this schedule.
Do not let the patient put weight on the leg early because the graft feels solid. That is the most common mistake. This week, write the non-weight-bearing order for at least 8 weeks. Schedule an X-ray at the 8-week mark to check for callus. If you need the ACTIFUSE remodeling data for your University Hospitals Cleveland case, Elite Surgical can put the published studies in your hands. A written protocol keeps the team on the same page.
By week 12, most patients progress to full weight as tolerated. The plate and screws carry the load. The graft is now laced with new bone. The next set of films in University Hospitals Cleveland shows the void filling in. The patient gets a clear answer. Your note matches the right protocol. The patient can plan for the next few months.
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.
how to choose bone graft substitute for distal radius fracture
Match the graft form to the void shape. For a small, contained cavity, a flowable graft in a syringe (like ACTIFUSE FLOW) fills every corner without overpacking. For a larger, uncontained defect, a moldable graft (like ACTIFUSE SHAPE) holds its form and does not migrate. If you need antibiotic delivery, ACTIFUSE ABX gives you enhanced handling plus the option to mix in powdered antibiotics. Avoid granules that can scatter into the joint.
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.