Results of distal tibial bone grafting in hindfoot arthrodeses

Distal tibial bone grafting is a safe and effective means of obtaining cancellous bone for hindfoot arthrodesis procedures, providing a sufficient quantity and quality of cancellous bone graft. Fusion rates using this bone graft are no less than those reported in the literature using autologous bone obtained from other sites. The 1% significant complication rate (fracture) of the donor site is low. Relative contraindications to the procedure include concomitant clinically significant peripheral neuropathy and severe osteopenia. Since cortical bone is not available from the distal tibia, procedures requiring corticocancellous strut or block grafts cannot rely solely on distal tibial grafting, although this procedure can be used to supplement iliac crest grafting when necessary.