Choosing a bone graft substitute for spine fusion? Start here.
Clear criteria and clinical evidence for IU Health surgeons, from Elite Surgical — your local medical equipment supplier in Indianapolis, IN.
You're moving away from autograft and into the world of synthetic bone graft substitutes. The shelf is full of options, but only a few make sense for your spine fusion cases at IU Health. You need a simple way to compare them — right now.
Many synthetic grafts are just calcium phosphate carriers. They fill space but do not signal bone growth the way natural bone does. What you want is a graft that acts like real bone. Look for a porosity above 75% — open pores let cells move in and blood vessels form. You also want silicate substitution. Silicate in the calcium phosphate structure mimics the body’s own silicon, telling bone cells to start healing. Without these two features, fusion can stall.
Cost varies by delivery system. A syringe for minimally invasive TLIF may cost different than a moldable putty for an open posterior fusion. The bigger cost question is revision surgery. Grafts that do not fully resorb or fuse can mean a second trip to the OR. Hospital value analysis committees at IU Health weigh per-unit cost against fusion rate data. That data should show a fusion rate above 90% in peer-reviewed studies. If the rep cannot show you those numbers, move on.
This week, ask for a set of sample graft sizes — one for your MIS approach, one for open cases. Then check three things on the package insert and published papers: porosity above 75%, proven silicate substitution, and clinical fusion rates at 12 and 24 months. Elite Surgical can bring ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE options directly to your lab or OR, and walk your team through the evidence. That way you evaluate against your own criteria, not marketing claims.
After you settle on the right graft, the daily tension lifts. Your fusion construct feels reliable. Patients avoid a painful hip incision for autograft. And your value analysis committee sees clear data behind the choice.
Other things people in IU Health ask
autograft vs synthetic bone graft substitute
Modern synthetic bone graft substitutes like ACTIFUSE and ALTAPORE show fusion rates comparable to autograft without donor site morbidity. Synthetics eliminate harvest time and reduce patient pain. Consider synthetic for single-level fusions, combine with autograft for complex cases.
bone graft substitute not integrating
Poor integration often comes from low porosity or inadequate bioactivity in the graft material. Switch to a silicate-substituted calcium phosphate with 80%+ porosity like ACTIFUSE or ALTAPORE. The enhanced porosity allows better bone ingrowth and vascularization.
consistent bone graft substitute results
Consistent results need consistent material quality and technique. Use bone graft substitutes with proven fusion rates like ALTAPORE's 86.3% rate. Ensure proper hydration, avoid overpacking, and maintain sterile handling. Elite Surgical provides technique guides for optimal results.
bone graft substitute syringe clogging
Clogging usually means the particle size is wrong for the delivery system or the material is too thick. ACTIFUSE FLOW is specifically designed for syringe delivery with consistent particle size. ACTIFUSE MIS offers minimally invasive delivery without clogging issues.
when to use bone graft substitute vs allograft
Use synthetic bone graft substitutes like ACTIFUSE when you want consistent quality without disease transmission risk. Allograft works for structural support in large defects. Synthetics are better for biological fusion enhancement in routine cases.
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Elite Surgical handles medical equipment supplier in IU Health and the area around it.