Size Matters: Defining Critical in Bone Defect Size!

Authors

Emil H. Schemitsch, Western University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2017

Journal

Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma

Volume

31

First Page

S20

Last Page

S22

URL with Digital Object Identifier

10.1097/BOT.0000000000000978

Abstract

© 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Bone defects are common and are associated with a significant burden of disease. The treatment of these injuries remains controversial, particularly those defects which are critical sized. Despite the need for decision making to be evidence based, a lack of consensus around definitions of critical-sized defects still exists, particularly around those defects in the 1-3 cm range. There is a need to define "critical" in bone defect size because noncritical defects may heal without planned reconstruction and secondary surgery. This article reviews the current evidence around the definition of a critical-sized bone defect and concludes that defects in the order of 2.5 cm or greater seem to have a poor natural history.

Notes

Article is freely available at the journal