Bone grafts are pieces of bone, or bone substitute, used as a replacement for the damaged bone. Bone grafts can be used in a number of joints and bones in the body.

Most surgeries are done on the neck and back to relieve debilitating pain experienced by the patient. The process involves fusing the pain-struck bones in the spine so that they heal into a single solid bone. 

Screws and rods are generally used to fix the grafts and provide stability to that area in the months after surgery. When fully healed, the bone will be solidly fused and function normally. 

Considerations for bone graft include: 
Type of Spinal Fusion 
Age and Health of the Patient 
Number of Levels Involved In The Spine 
Location Of The Fusion 
Patient's Risk Factors For Non-Fusion, Such As Obesity, Smoking, or Poor Bone Quality 

There are two types of bone grafts:

 Autograph is when the patient’s own bone is used for a graft. Bone can be taken from the patient’s spine, pelvis or other areas. Using a patient’s bone allows for the highest concentration of their own bone cells, proteins, stem cells and calcified matrices.

Allograft is a bone from another individual that is generally sourced from a tissue bank. Allograft bone does not contain living bone cells and therefore is not considered as effective at stimulating fusion compared to Autograft bone.

Selecting the appropriate bone graft in order to augment your surgical outcome is important in the treatment process. Visit Dr. Shah at Premier Orthopaedic Associates to discuss the options available to you. Dr. Shah will help you identify the best treatment choices to improve your quality of life.