Management of Bone Defects in Orthopedic Trauma

Treatment of traumatic bone defects is dictated by a multitude of clinical factors including the defect size, patient comorbidities, soft tissue condition, and the possibility of infection present in the defect. With a variety of treatment strategies described, it is critical to choose the approach that will maximize outcomes in addressing this difficult problem. When addressing small-scale defects, bone grafting is the primary treatment. For large-scale defects, there are two major options to consider: induced membrane technique and distraction osteogenesis. Choosing between these two techniques should be based on the associated soft tissue injury, the local vascularity, and the possibility of residual infection. This review will focus on the current management principles and strategies in the treatment of bone defects after orthopedic trauma and the existing literature to support each of these treatment options.