Formation of structural grafts from cancellous bone fragments

Autogenous cancellous bone fragments can be compressed rapidly during surgery to create reproducible load-bearing grafts. Of the 32 grafts tested, 10 were constructed of composite cortical-cancellous bovine bone and 22 of cancellous human bone. Compressed composite bovine grafts and compressed human cancellous grafts supported average axial compressive loads of 2148 N and 960 N, respectively. Compared to iliac crest grafts, compression grafts may have better load-bearing capabilities and greater reproducibility. Potential applications include trauma, delayed unions, arthrodesis, and spinal fusions.