Abstract

Bone is a hard connective tissue which helps to maintain the body structure and functions. Several factors like aging, drugs, hormonal changes, and physical activities may lead to bone injuries and fractures. Fracture without bone loss will heal if proper immobilisation techniques are used. But if there is an extensive bone loss fracture fails to heal and get filled with fibrous tissue. To address these problems bone graft materials are used.  Autologous bone graft is considered as the ideal graft material. However, complications related to its harvesting process including donor site morbidity and pain, limit its use in bone regeneration. Allograft and xenografts can also be used, but there are some problems like immune reaction and chance of rejection. Biosynthetic bone grafts are developed as an alternative to conventional bone grafting materials. These grafts generally contain one or more of three critical components: (1) osteoinductive factors that induce the various stages of bone regeneration, (2) osteoconductive matrix to provide physical support and direction to the repair process, and (3) osteogenic stem cells that are capable of differentiating and facilitating the bone formation process. This article will cover common biosynthetic substitutes for augmenting bone healing.

Keywords : Fracture, Autograft, Allograft, Xenograft, Biosynthetic bone graft