Synthetic bone graft in open fracture with contamination?
Honest answers from Elite Surgical, fracture repair in IU Health, IN — what to know about synthetic grafts and infection.
You have a grade II open tibia fracture and lost bone. Your surgeon at IU Health mentioned a synthetic graft to fill the gap. But the wound was dirty, and you worry that putting a foreign material in a contaminated field could lead to a serious infection.
An open fracture lets bacteria from the outside world into your bone. Even after scrubbing and cleaning the wound, some germs can remain. Bone grafts made from donor tissue contain proteins that bacteria can feed on, raising the infection risk. ACTIFUSE is different. It is a wholly synthetic, calcium-based scaffold with no organic material. Bacteria cannot eat it, so after a thorough washout, it can be placed safely.
The timing of graft placement depends on how clean your surgeon can get the wound. After removing all dead tissue and irrigating with fluid, many surgeons place the graft right away. It fills the bone defect, stops soft tissue from collapsing into the hole, and can be mixed with antibiotic powder to fight any hidden bacteria. If the fracture is grossly contaminated or full of pus, the safer path is to wait 48 to 72 hours, then return to the operating room for a second look and graft.
Talk to your surgeon at IU Health before the procedure. Ask if they plan to use a synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE and if they mix antibiotics into it. If your wound was heavily soiled, ask about staging the graft for a later surgery. Elite Surgical provides ACTIFUSE to hospitals across IU Health and can supply your surgical team with product support and clinical evidence.
Once the graft is in, you have a stable bone void filler that your body will remodel into real bone. You avoid an extra trip to the OR and recover faster. Your leg is solid, you start physical therapy sooner, and you get back to walking and your daily life.
Other things people in IU Health ask
bone graft for large tibial plateau defect
Pick a graft that resists compression and supports the articular surface. A moldable, high-porosity graft like ALTAPORE SHAPE packs into irregular voids and stays put. For smaller subchondral gaps, a flowable graft delivered by syringe gives complete fill without leaving dead space. Always use it with rigid internal fixation; the graft is not load-bearing on its own.
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.
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.
Ready to talk?
Elite Surgical handles fracture repair in IU Health and the area around it.