Cancellous bone grafting from the distal radius

Abstract

Because the amount of bone graft needed in hand surgery is relatively small, some surgeons use the distal radius as a donor site for cancellous bone grafts as an alternative to the frequently used iliac crest. The location of this site, near the primary operation, offers certain advantages, but there is little documentation on its morbidity, and varying approaches are used. This retrospective study evaluates the morbidity of the dorsal approach and the adequacy of the distal radius as a donor site for cancellous bone grafting in hand surgery. The results indicate that this technique provides a practical and safe alternative for situations in which a limited amount of cancellous bone is required. The technique described is relatively simple, and in terms of morbidity and practical considerations, the choice of the distal radius has clear advantages over a commonly used donor site such as the iliac crest.