Bone graft surgery is a procedure done to fix bone and joint issues such as dental implants, shoulder surgeries, spinal fusion, joint replacements and trauma damaged bones. It is also an effective method for synthetic bone graft substitutes, knee replacement and fractures in particular. A bone graft covers up an area left open by a fracture or offer structural stability during bone replacement.
Devices for bone graft have come a long way since the first bone graft surgery. The modern medical science and the spinal fusion market continues to experience major innovations that encourage less invasive surgeries. New bone-graft funnels cannulas and syringes are designed to facilitate smooth bone-graft processes.
Types of bone graft
Here are three types of bone grafts.
1.Allograft: Is the type of bone graft that uses bone from a deceased donor or a preserved cadaver. The tissue obtained must closely match your own ACL structural properties to avoid rejection complications.
2.Autograft: A surgical method that removes a part of a tendon from either your ribs, wrist, pelvis, or hips. It is then inserted and attached to the knee joint and replace the torn ligament.
3.Synthetic bone: This is a bone graft substitute synthetically produced to fix bone and joint problems.
Although the kind of graft to be used will depend on what is being repaired. When reconstructing damaged knees, hips or broken legs and arms, allographs are often used. This is because the process in minimally invasive, in that surgery, isn’t necessary to acquire the bone.
Allograft bone transplant makes use of dead bones to minimize the risk of infection and also there is no need for matching the recipient blood type to that of the donor. For bone regeneration, either due to injury, infection or illness, a graft can be applied to allow the bone cure surgically devices for bone graft like screws, joints or plates.
Risks involved in bone grafting
Like any other surgical operations, a bone graft involves risks such as excessive bleeding, infection and reactions. Other risks you should be aware of include pain and swelling on the operated area, nerve injury, inflammation, rejection and reabsorption of the graft. To minimize some of these risks, your surgeon needs to conduct a few tests and decide the type of bone graft best for your case. Of course, you’ll be put under anesthesia, but it’s done under close supervision.
Preparing for bone graft
The first thing after tests have been done, the surgeon will prepare the operation room and ensure all devices for bone graft sterilize. Ideally, most bone graft systems are already filled with the graft to save time during set-up and reduce waste. Syringes and cannulas have also be sterilized and can be used directly from unboxing.
With the recent bone grafting technology, the recovery process is expected to heal within two weeks, but for larger grafts, the period could take up to a year. Surgeons recommend physical therapy to allow the graft to incorporate properly into your body functions. After surgery, you can administer home