Which property makes autogenous cancellous bone graft from the iliac crest the gold standard for treating a non-union?

• A It provides only a structural scaffold with high mechanical strength
• B It avoids donor site morbidity entirely
• C It combines osteogenesis, osteoinduction and osteoconduction ✓
• D It incorporates by creeping substitution slower than cortical grafts

Explanation

Cancellous autograft contains viable osteoblasts and osteoprogenitor cells (osteogenesis), growth factors such as BMP that recruit host cells (osteoinduction), and a porous trabecular scaffold for ingrowth (osteoconduction). This triple action gives faster incorporation than cortical graft, which relies mainly on creeping substitution and provides strength rather than biology. Donor site morbidity such as pain and haematoma is a recognised drawback, not an advantage.

Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.