When can I walk after tibial plateau fracture with synthetic graft?
Answers for patients and surgeons at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, OH. Fracture repair with ACTIFUSE.
You had surgery for a tibial plateau fracture at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. The surgeon fixed the bone with a plate and screws, then packed the void with a synthetic bone graft. Now you are asking the same question every patient asks: when can I put weight on this leg?
The synthetic graft fills the gap in your bone. It acts as a scaffold for your body to grow new bone across. It does not add strength on its own. The plate and screws hold the bone in place. So weight bearing depends on how solid the metal fixation is, not the graft. Your surgeon will decide based on the fracture pattern and the quality of your bone.
Most patients stay off the leg for 8 to 12 weeks. You will use crutches or a walker. X-rays at follow-up visits show how the bone is healing. The graft slowly remodels into real bone over months. Putting weight on it too early will not speed this up. It can actually harm the repair if the fixation is not ready.
Follow the postoperative plan from your surgeon at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. If you are unsure about the timeline, call the clinic. Elite Surgical can also talk with you or your surgeon about the ACTIFUSE graft material. We in-service the product and share the clinical evidence so you know what to expect.
Once the X-ray shows enough healing, you will start partial weight bearing. Over a few more weeks, you progress to full weight. The graft will be fully incorporated. Your leg will feel stable. You can return to normal walking and daily activities.
Other things people in Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 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.
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 Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and the area around it.