Results of onlay allografts

Cortical onlay strut allografts provide a method for bone restoration when performing revision surgery in a patient with a structurally deficient femu r. Between 1986 and 1990, 251 patients underwent femoral revisions using st ructural onlay bone grafts. The followup ranged between 8 and 12 years, wit h the average followup being 9.5 years. All of the grafts united to the hos t bone. The revision rate in the current series is 3%, with no complication s related to the bone graft. The average Harris hip score improved 45 point s. Cortical onlay grafts are used for patients with structurally deficient femurs, After union occurs, the graft undergoes adaptive remodeling, second ary to physiologic load bearing. This technique has proved to he a reliable method for hone restoration in the patient with a structurally compromised femur.