Cloward dowels are mainly used in ACDF procedures to treat cervical disc herniation or degenerative disc disease. The dowels are inserted into the disc space after removing the damaged disc, providing structural support and promoting fusion between adjacent vertebrae. This is the primary and most common application.

Anterior spinal column reconstruction is a surgical procedure intended to restore the normal anatomy and function of the spine by treating conditions that cause spinal instability, deformity, or neurological compromise. Allograft bone shafts can be used to maintain intervertebral distraction, restore structural integrity, and promote bone fusion.

In spinal fusion procedures, allograft bone wedges can be used to facilitate fusion across vertebral segments. For example, in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the allograft can be used to replace the removed intervertebral disc and help achieve fusion between the adjacent vertebral bodies. Over time, the patient’s own bone may grow into and around the graft, leading to a solid fusion.

In some complex spinal surgeries, onlay struts can be used to enhance the stability of the fusion construct and facilitate bone healing.

Limb salvage procedures are a series of surgical treatments aimed at saving a limb that is at high risk of amputation. Sometimes, a section of bone needs to be removed due to infection (osteomyelitis) or a bone tumor. Once the diseased bone is removed, the bone shaft allograft can be used to fill the gap. It is carefully aligned and fixed into place. Over time, the patient’s own bone may gradually incorporate the allograft.

Allograft bone shafts can be utilized in joint arthrodesis procedures, which involve fusing two adjacent bones to stabilize a joint. This procedure is typically reserved for conditions where joint replacement is not an option or has failed, or when the joint’s function is severely compromised due to arthritis, injury, or disease. The allograft shaft can be used to promote fusion and provide stability in joints such as the ankle, wrist, or spine.

In revision joint replacement surgeries, such as hip, knee, and shoulder replacements, structural allografts can be used to fill in areas of significant bone loss around the joint. This is particularly important when previous implants have loosened or failed and caused damage to the surrounding bone. The grafts can help provide a stable platform for the placement of the new prosthesis.

Allograft bone struts can be used in the treatment of bone defects that have failed to heal (non-unions), especially when there is a need for additional mechanical support. The strut is placed over the non-union site to provide stability and facilitate bone healing.

In complex joint revision surgeries, allograft bone struts are used to provide structural support in situations where there is significant bone loss. The struts are typically used in conjunction with other reconstruction techniques to fill bony defects and enhance stability for the prosthesis.

Allograft Prosthetic Composites (APCs) are utilized in joint revision arthroplasty procedures to address complex cases where significant bone loss or structural defects are present. These composites combine a prosthetic component with allograft material to restore joint function and stability. They provide biological support for bone ingrowth and incorporation, ensuring long-term stability while reducing the need for excessive reliance on bone cement or metal augmentations.

Allograft-Prosthetic Composites (APCs) are used in orthopedic oncology for limb salvage operations following tumor resection. In such cases, a large bone tumor is surgically removed, often resulting in a significant loss of bone and soft tissue. To restore function and structure, an allograft can be used in combination with a prosthesis. The allograft can provide a biological scaffold for the patient’s tissues to grow and heal, while the prosthesis offers immediate mechanical support and stability.