Bone graft not remodeling on follow-up CT?
For foot & ankle fusion surgeons at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OH — a graft that becomes real bone.
You’re six months out from an ankle fusion. The patient is doing okay, but the CT shows the graft just sitting there. It’s not remodeling into host bone. You’re worried about a nonunion. At Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, you need a graft that resorbs on schedule and builds a strong fusion.
Some bone grafts are just fillers. They don’t have an interconnected structure that lets blood vessels and bone cells grow in. So they sit there, unchanged on CT, for months. If the graft doesn’t remodel, new bone can’t bridge the fusion site. This is a common reason for delayed union in foot and ankle fusions. SiCaP grafts, like ACTIFUSE, are designed with a porous structure that mimics cancellous bone. Your body recognizes it and starts replacing it with real bone within weeks.
If you’re looking at a nonunion, it’s a revision surgery. That means more OR time, a longer recovery, and more costs for the patient and the hospital. Choosing a graft that remodels predictably from the start can avoid that. The upfront cost of a graft like ACTIFUSE is small compared to a revision. And it saves the patient from going through another surgery and more time off work.
Look at your graft’s published resorption data. Ask the rep for CT evidence of remodeling in foot and ankle fusions. ACTIFUSE has a 24-patient tibiotalar fusion series showing it remodels into real bone. If your current graft isn’t doing that, it’s time to switch. Elite Surgical can bring the science and in-service your team so you see the difference on your next CT. You’ll know exactly what to expect on follow-up imaging.
Your next fusion patient comes back at six months. The CT shows bridging bone, not a static graft. You see a solid union. The patient is walking without pain. And the worry about nonunion is gone because you used a scaffold you know will remodel.
Other things people in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center ask
weight bearing after ankle fusion with synthetic bone graft
Weight bearing depends on fixation stability, not just the graft. With ACTIFUSE, the scaffold starts remodeling within weeks, but full load is typically allowed after 6-8 weeks if the construct is solid. Check your specific fixation and follow published protocols for tibiotalar fusion with this graft.
ACTIFUSE FLOW vs ACTIFUSE SHAPE ankle fusion
FLOW is ideal for narrow, irregular spaces because the syringe lets you inject it precisely. SHAPE is better when you need to pack a larger void and want the graft to stay in place without migrating. For a typical ankle fusion with moderate bone loss, either can work. Choose FLOW if you need to fill a tight gap; choose SHAPE if you need to build up a defect and contour it.
bone graft substitute for diabetic ankle fusion
Use a scaffold that remodels into real bone and can handle poor host biology. ACTIFUSE provides an 80% porous structure that the body replaces with living bone, without harvesting from the hip or heel. Published tibiotalar fusion series using this graft show reliable outcomes in compromised patients.
cost of bone graft substitute for ankle fusion
The price depends on the volume of graft needed and the specific product. For a standard ankle fusion, a synthetic graft like ACTIFUSE typically costs less than using a bone graft harvested from the patient when you factor in OR time and donor site complications. Get a quote from your supplier for the exact product and volume.
normal shoes after ankle fusion synthetic bone graft
Most patients can transition to a supportive shoe around 10 to 12 weeks after surgery, once X-rays show the fusion is solid. Synthetic grafts like ACTIFUSE remodel into real bone, so the timeline is similar to autograft. Always confirm healing on imaging before clearing the patient.
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Elite Surgical handles foot & ankle fusion in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the area around it.