Which bone graft for a large tibial plateau void?
Straight answers from Elite Surgical, fracture repair in Allegheny Health Network, PA.
In an Allegheny Health Network OR, you reduced a tibial plateau fracture. The void left behind is large. You're not sure which bone graft will keep the articular surface from sinking.
After you reduce a tibial plateau fracture, a large bone void is common. The space left behind can cause the joint surface to sink if it's not filled with something that resists compression. You see a defect that needs immediate structural integrity. The graft must hold up the articular surface while new bone forms. A material that packs well and stays in place is critical. You are not just filling a hole. You are building a bridge for bone to cross.
The scope depends on the void size and location. Smaller subchondral gaps may fill best with a flowable graft delivered by syringe. Larger, irregular voids need a moldable graft that you can shape and pack tightly. ALTAPORE SHAPE is designed for these defects—it has high porosity and resists compression. ACTIFUSE provides a porous scaffold for bone ingrowth. Both are used with rigid internal fixation. The graft itself is not load-bearing. Your operative time includes graft preparation and placement, but a reliable fill reduces the risk of revision.
Call Elite Surgical this week to get ALTAPORE or ACTIFUSE for your next tibial plateau case. These grafts are backed by clinical studies showing strong bone formation and remodeling. Elite Surgical covers your case in the OR and in-services your staff on handling and application. You can also request the published evidence to share with your value analysis committee. Don't let a large void compromise your reduction. Pick a graft that supports the articular surface from day one.
Once the void is packed and the plate is on, the joint surface is stable. The graft fills the gap and provides a pathway for new bone. Your patient can start the rehab protocol knowing the articular surface is supported. Follow-up imaging shows maintenance of reduction and gradual bone ingrowth.
Other things people in Allegheny Health Network ask
weight bearing after tibial plateau fracture with synthetic bone graft
Weight bearing depends on the fixation, not the graft. The graft provides a scaffold for bone ingrowth but does not add immediate structural support. Follow your standard postoperative protocol for the plate and screws. Most patients stay non-weight-bearing for 8 to 12 weeks, with progression based on X-ray healing. The graft will remodel over that time; early loading does not speed it up.
how to choose bone graft substitute for distal radius fracture
Match the graft form to the void shape. For a small, contained cavity, a flowable graft in a syringe (like ACTIFUSE FLOW) fills every corner without overpacking. For a larger, uncontained defect, a moldable graft (like ACTIFUSE SHAPE) holds its form and does not migrate. If you need antibiotic delivery, ACTIFUSE ABX gives you enhanced handling plus the option to mix in powdered antibiotics. Avoid granules that can scatter into the joint.
cost of bone graft substitute for calcaneus fracture
Calcaneus fractures often need 5cc to 10cc of graft. Price it by volume, not by level. Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE are priced per cc. Ask your rep for a per-case cost breakdown that includes the delivery system. Compare that to the cost of a second surgery if the void is left unfilled or collapses.
synthetic bone graft safe open fracture
Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE are inorganic and do not provide a food source for bacteria the way allograft can. They can be used in a contaminated field after thorough debridement and irrigation. Many surgeons place the graft at the index procedure to maintain space and deliver local antibiotics mixed into the graft. If there is gross purulence, stage the grafting for a second look 48 to 72 hours later.
ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE SHAPE fracture
For narrow, deep voids where you need the graft to flow into crevices, use ACTIFUSE FLOW. Its syringe delivery lets you place it precisely without overpacking. For a wide, shallow defect that needs to hold its shape while you close, ACTIFUSE SHAPE molds to the cavity and stays in place. If the void is both deep and wide, start with FLOW to fill the bottom, then cap it with SHAPE.
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Elite Surgical handles fracture repair in Allegheny Health Network and the area around it.