CALACANEAL AUTOGRAFT HARVEST

If you need a Calcaneal autograft harvest, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.

What Is A Calcaneal Autograft Harvest?

Calcaneal autograft harvest refers to the surgical procedure in which a small piece of bone (autograft) is taken from the calcaneus, which is the heel bone, and used as a bone graft for other parts of the body that require bone augmentation or repair.

Bone grafts are commonly used in orthopedic surgery to promote bone healing, fuse bones, or replace missing bone in various procedures, such as spinal fusion, joint reconstruction, and treatment of bone fractures that have difficulty healing. Autografts are grafts taken from the patient’s own body, which typically provide the best biocompatibility and have a lower risk of rejection compared to allografts (grafts from a donor) or synthetic materials.

The calcaneus is often chosen as a donor site for autografts due to its relatively large size and abundance of cancellous (spongy) bone. Cancellous bone has a high concentration of bone-forming cells and a more porous structure, making it an ideal choice for promoting bone healing and fusion.

The process of calcaneal autograft harvest typically involves the following steps:

1. Patient positioning and anesthesia: The patient is placed in the appropriate position, either lying on their stomach or side, to access the calcaneus. General or regional anesthesia is administered to ensure the patient’s comfort and safety during the procedure.
2. Incision: The surgeon makes an incision over the calcaneus to expose the bone.
3. Graft harvesting: The surgeon carefully removes a small piece of bone from the calcaneus using specialized instruments. The amount of bone taken is usually determined based on the specific requirements of the graft site.
4. Closure: After the graft is harvested, the incision is closed with sutures or surgical staples, and the surgical site is dressed and bandaged.
5. Graft placement: The harvested bone is then used to augment or repair the target area, such as a spinal fusion site or a fracture nonunion.
6. Post-operative care: After the procedure, the patient will be given instructions for post-operative care and rehabilitation, which may include activity restrictions and physical therapy to aid in the healing process.

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with calcaneal autograft harvest, such as infection, nerve injury, and pain at the donor site. However, the benefits of using the patient’s own bone for grafting often outweigh the risks, as it can lead to improved bone healing and long-term outcomes. The decision to use a calcaneal autograft or any other type of bone graft is based on the patient’s specific condition, the surgical requirements, and the surgeon’s expertise and judgment.

If you would like to speak to an Orthopedic Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us over the web. Tele-medicine appointments are also available.