8 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • J U N E 2 0 1 8
T
he human body has
tremendous bounce-
backability, but when
its biologic response
isn't enough to regen-
erate bone lost to injuries or
defects, surgeons can reach for a
wide array of bone grafts, bone
substitutes and biologics to speed
the healing process. Bone grafting
gives the body a bone-building
boost and helps surgeons fuse
spines, revise failed joint replace-
ments and fix complex fractures.
Before appreciating how the var-
ious graft materials work, you
must first understand the 3 mecha-
nisms of action involved in new
Daniel Cook | Executive Editor
Bone Up On Bone Grafts
A breakdown of the materials that help build bones back up.
• REGENERATIVE POWERS Orthopedic surgeon Philip Stahel, MD, FACS, uses bone grafts while performing an open reduction
and pin fixation of a complex pediatric elbow fracture.
Philip
Stahel,
MD,
FACS