Bone grafts help heal bone by creating new bone (called de novo bone). There are many bone graft technologies that can help achieve this—and substantial differences among them. They work differently, they are made from different materials, and their approved uses vary widely.
Common options for bone grafting include:
- Autograft Tissue
- Allograft Tissue
- Synthetic Bone Graft
- Growth Factors
Autograft Tissue
Taken surgically from one part of your body, autograft tissue is transplanted to another part of your body.
Benefits:
- No potential for immune reaction or disease transmission
- Commonly used in surgery
- Well-documented success
- May heal large or small defects by itself
- Transplanting your own bone forming cells to help heal the defect
Drawbacks:
- Risk of pain and/or infection at harvest site which may last for a long time
- Additional surgery and anesthesia are required
- May not be an option for some patients
Allograft Tissue
Allograft tissue is generously donated by the family of a deceased loved one to enhance the life of another individual.
Benefits:
- Commonly used in surgery
- Well-documented success
- May heal small defects by itself
- Portions of the graft may turn into your own bone
- Demineralized allografts contain active proteins that stimulate your body’s cells to form bone
Drawbacks:
- Minimal risk for disease transmission
- Portions of the graft may remain in your body for years to come
- Limited in its ability to heal large defects by itself
Synthetic Bone Graft
These artificially produced materials bulk up or extend the supply of available autograft bone (bone harvested from your own body).
Benefits:
- Commonly used in surgery
- Not human-derived
- Readily available
- Provides a scaffold onto which your bone cells can attach for new bone formation
- No risk for disease transmission
Drawbacks:
- Synthetics alone do not contain proteins that stimulate your body’s cells to form bone
- Portions of the graft may remain in your body for years to come
- Limited in its ability to heal large defects by itself
Growth Factors
This bone graft is a manufactured (genetically engineered) version of a natural protein normally found in small quantities in the body which regulates bone healing and growth. Infuse™ Bone Graft is a growth factor option from Medtronic.
Benefits of Infuse Bone Graft:
- Commonly used in surgery
- No risk for disease transmission
- Readily available
- Well-documented success
- May heal large defects*
- Proven, predictable bone growth results—bone grows where Infuse Bone Graft is placed
Drawbacks of Infuse Bone Graft:
- Contraindicated for use in patients with an active infection at the defect site
- Should not be used in pregnant women, women who plan to become pregnant in the next 12 months, or women who are nursing
- Should not be used in people with immune deficiencies, due to other treatments, such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or steroid therapy
Bone Graft Selection
The type of graft used will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the type of surgery being performed, your age, medical history, and bone quantity/quality. A prescription is required, and you should always consult your surgeon to understand which bone graft is right for you, as well as for a complete list of indications, warnings, precautions, adverse events, clinical results, and other important medical information.
