Bone grafting is a form of treatment that uses new bone or replacement material for bone repair. A bone graft essentially means surgically implanting a shaped piece of your bone or someone else’s where bone is needed. In time, the grafted boned is converted into new bone. Bone is primarily composed collagen.
A bone graft may be necessary in a variety of health circumstances, such as:
- arthrodesis
- bone cancer
- enchondroma
- fill holes in bone
- fuse bones together
- degenerative disease
- reconstruction after injury
- repair congenital bone defects
- assist with bone fracture healing
- provide structural support to spine
Most bone grafts are successful for bone repair, with the duration of recovery varying based on the size of the graft and surrounding bone condition. Pain is normal for a few days after bone grafting surgery, so pain relievers may be given.