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Bone graft - Recovery

Alternative Names

Autograft; Allograft

After the Procedure:

Recovery time depends on the injury or defect being treated and the size of the bone graft. Your recovery may take 2 weeks to 3 months. The bone graft itself will take up to 3 months or longer to heal.

Vigorous exercise may be restricted for up to 6 months.

You will need to keep the bone graft area clean and dry. Your doctor will give you instructions about showering.

Do not smoke. Smoking slows down or prevents bone healing. If you smoke, it is more likely to graft will fail.

Outlook (Prognosis):

Most bone grafts help the bone defect to heal with little risk of graft rejection.

Bone graft - series

Reviewed last on: 7/28/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Assistant Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Camillo FX. Arthrodesis of the spine. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 36.

Brinker MR, O’Connor DP, Almekinders LC, et al. Bone injury. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 5.

Broken bone

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