Thirty patients with osteoporotic fractures were treated operatively. An al
logeneic bone transplant was used in combination with a conventional osteos
ynthesis in each patient. The bone graft was pulverized in a bone mill and
used as a substitute graft to fill the bone defect, add stability, and enha
nce bone union. Fractures healed without complications in 20 patients. The
osteosynthesis failed in 4 patients. The fracture failed to unite in an add
itional 3 patients. One deep infection occurred. A biopsy taken from the al
logeneic bone at plate removal after fracture union demonstrated mature bon
e and new bone formation. The use of pulverized allograft bone for large bo
ne defects in patients with osteoporotic fractures yields acceptable result
s with no adverse effects.