Bone grafting

Bone grafts in clinical practice are primarily used to help achieve bony union in cases of indolent healing of fractures or pseudoarthrosis; to supplement the healing of certain fresh fractures; to promote fusion (arthrodesis) of joints damaged by injury, disease, or deformity, and to fill defects in bone created by tumors, chronic infection, or injury. This article considers the types and functions of bone grafts.