The healing of segmental bone defects induced by demineralized bone matrix. A radiographic and biomechanical study.

Abstract

An effective, readily available alternative to autologous bone-graft material would have a variety of clinical uses in orthopaedic surgery, such as augmenting fusions, aiding in the repair of high-risk fractures, and filling or bridging bone defects. Demineralized bone matrix may provide an important tool for these purposes by inducing bone that has the mechanical properties of fracture callus. This would reduce the morbidity associated with harvesting autologous bone and have an advantage over allografts or synthetic biomaterials that require incorporation by the host before they can support mechanical loads.