Osteosynthesis and Allogeneic Bone Grafting in Complex Osteoporotic Fractures

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 24; no. 3; pp. 249 - 252
• Main Authors: Kuokkanen, H, Räty, S, Korkala, O, Niskanen, R, Syrjänen, K J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ Slack 01.03.2001; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Bone Nails; Bone Plates; Bone Transplantation - methods; Combined Modality Therapy; Female; Fracture Fixation, Internal - instrumentation; Fracture Fixation, Internal - methods; Fracture Healing - physiology; Fractures, Spontaneous - diagnostic imaging; Fractures, Spontaneous - etiology; Fractures, Spontaneous - surgery; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Orthopedic surgery; Osteoporosis - complications; Osteoporosis - diagnostic imaging; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Radiography; Severity of Illness Index; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Transplantation, Homologous; Treatment Outcome; Human; Pathologic fracture; Prognosis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Homograft; Osteosynthesis; Bone disease; Osteoporosis; Orthopedic surgery; Treatment; Graft; Complication; Combined treatment; Bone; Technique
• ISSN: 0147-7447; 1938-2367
• DOI: 10.3928/0147-7447-20010301-16

ABSTRACT Thirty patients with osteoporotic fractures were treated operatively. An allogeneic bone transplant was used in combination with a conventional osteosynthesis in each patient. The bone graft was pulverized in a bone mill and used as a substitute graft to fill the bone defect, add stability, and enhance bone union. Fractures healed without complications in 20 patients. The osteosynthesis failed in 4 patients. The fracture failed to unite in an additional 3 patients. One deep infection occurred. A biopsy taken from the allogeneic bone at plate removal after fracture union demonstrated mature bone and new bone formation. The use of pulverized allograft bone for large bone defects in patients with osteoporotic fractures yields acceptable results with no adverse effects.