Bone grafting is a surgical procedure to repair defective bones or certain types of broken bones. In this procedure, pieces of bone or a type of man-made (synthetic) bone is used to strengthen a broken bone or to fill in a defect.
There are three basic types of bone grafts. Your graft may be from:
• Your own bone (autograft). A bone graft is often taken from your hip, rib, or leg.
• Donated bone from a tissue bank (allograft). These grafts are taken from healthy donors and frozen for future use.
• Man-made bone substitutes.
A bone graft supports your bone. It also stimulates healing. New bone may grow from cells in the graft (osteogenesis). Certain proteins within the graft may also convert other cells to bone-forming cells …show more content…
PROCEDURE
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given a medicine that makes you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
• If you are having an autograft:
○ The bone removal area will be cleaned with a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution.
○ A surgical cut (incision) will be made over the autograft site. Bone will be removed.
○ The incision will be closed with stitches (sutures) or staples.
• The area where you are having the bone graft will also be cleaned with antiseptic.
• Your surgeon will make an incision to open up the area over the bone that is to be grafted.
• The bone graft will be placed around the bone. It may be held in place with pins, plates, or screws.
• Your surgeon will close the incision with sutures or staples and will put a bandage (dressing) over it.
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
• You will be given pain medicine as needed.
• You may have to wear a brace, splint, or