Calcium Orthophosphates as Bioceramics - Calcium Orthophosphates: Applications in Nature, Biology and Medicine - page 361

Table 4.3 Specific features of the four most common forms of bone graft substitutes [2]

Form Defect form Mechanical stability Resorption / bone formation Handling

Granules (0.1-5
mm in diameter)

Open Negligible Throughout the defect Fair (granule migration during

and after surgery)

Macroporous
blocks

Open and
defined shape

Fair provided there is
press-fitting into the
defect

Throughout the defect Very good (problems might arise

to fit the block within the defect)

Cement paste Closed Fair Peripheral Fair to good (the paste might

set too fast or might be poorly
injectable)

Putty Open or closed Negligible Peripheral or throughout

the defect depending on the
composition

Very good for pastes that have to
be mixed in the operating room
to excellent for ready-mixed
pastes (the paste might be poorly
injectable)

Note: The column “defect form” lists the types of defects that can be potentially filled with the listed bone graft substitute form. “Open” means that the
defect has to be widely open,

an open cancellous bone defect; “Defined shape” means that the defect has to have a well-defined shape, e.g. cylinder;
“Closed” means that the material can be (potentially) injected into a closed defect,

e.g.

e.g. to reinforce an osteoporotic bone [2].