Orthobiologic reduced nonunion rates when used in foot and ankle fusions

Description: Sixty-patient open-label study shows promise for bone graft substitute.
Alastair S. Younger, MD, FRCSC, and colleagues prospectively studied 60 patients who underwent a combined 180 foot or ankle fusions aided with recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor in a tricalcium phosphate matrix (Augment Bone Graft, formerly GEM OS1; BioMimetic) and were followed for a minimum of 9 months. The investigators discovered that 90% of the patients achieved clinical fusion, which was determined by a clinician's assessment of radiographs and outcome measures for pain, swelling and motion. In addition, they found that 88% of the patients had radiographic union, as evidenced by bony ridging, and 95% of the joints fused clinically.
Report on Younger AS, Daniels TR, Wing K, et al. The use of RhPDGF to promote bone healing in foot and ankle fusions: A prospective study of 130 fusions in 60 patients. Presented at the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society 24th Annual Summer Meeting. June 26-28, 2008. Denver.