Bone defects

Long-stretch bone defects can be a direct consequence of comminuted fractures after severe accidents or a late consequence of bone fracture treatment with complications (see bone infections). Often the actual extent is not yet apparent, but the bone simply does not heal together (pseudoarthrosis), so that repeated operations are not uncommon. In the end, the cause of the healing disorder of the bone is always a reduced, local blood supply, so that it may be sufficient to freshen the ends of the bone. Frequently, however, the removal of inferior bone tissue, which is absolutely necessary up to the vitality limit, also results in these cases in a long bone defect, which, like primary bone defects after accidents, must be biologically built up with the body's own bone tissue.

A different initial situation exists after the removal of bone tumors (see Bone tumors). In the case of malignant bone tumors, which frequently occur in children and adolescents, the affected piece of bone must be removed with a safety margin, even if a large gap is created afterwards. In these cases, not only must the defect be closed again, but the growth of the opposite side must also be taken into account.

Callus distraction is a very effective method of bridging bone defects of 10 cm and more with autogenous bone in a mechanically and biologically durable and high-quality manner.