The Benefits of Synthetic Bone Grafting for Faster and More Predictable Bone Growth

Highlights

• Synthetic bone grafting eliminates the need to harvest bone from a second surgical site on the patient.

• Manufactured grafts provide a consistent, readily available supply with predictable composition from case to case.

• Multiphasic formulations are engineered to support bone growth at different stages of the healing process.

• Nano-surface structures increase surface area and help encourage cellular activity and osteointegration.

• Flowable, moldable graft materials make it easier to fill tight spaces and resist migration during irrigation.

• SurGenTec’s OsteoFlo® line offers synthetic graft options for spine and orthopedic procedures, including an FDA-cleared option equivalent to autograft.

Bone grafting plays a central role in modern orthopedic and spine surgery. Whether a surgeon is filling a bone void, supporting a spinal fusion, or repairing a fracture, the graft material chosen can significantly influence how well and how predictably new bone forms. According to the National Institutes of Health, an estimated 2.2 million people undergo procedures involving bone grafts.

For decades, autograft has been considered the gold standard because it comes from the patient’s own body and naturally supports bone formation. However, harvesting autograft requires a second surgical site, adds operative time, and introduces the possibility of donor site complications. Supply is also limited, especially in patients who need larger graft volumes or who have undergone previous harvests.

These limitations have driven significant innovation in graft materials. Today’s synthetic options are no longer simple fillers. Many are carefully engineered to mimic the structure of natural bone, resorb at controlled rates, and give surgeons handling characteristics suited to minimally invasive techniques.

At SurGenTec, we’re focused on revolutionizing spine and orthopedic surgeries with cutting-edge technology. Our OsteoFlo® portfolio reflects years of research into how material science can support more consistent outcomes. Below, we explore the key benefits of synthetic bone grafting and why more surgeons are incorporating these materials into their practice.

Eliminating the Need for a Second Surgical Site

One of the most significant advantages of synthetic grafts is that they remove the need to harvest bone from the patient. Iliac crest harvesting, while effective, adds a separate incision, increases operative time, and can lead to lingering discomfort. According to the Journal of Orthopaedic Case Reports, the reported rate of minor complications after iliac crest bone graft harvesting falls between 10% and 40%.

By avoiding a second procedure, synthetic bone grafting can simplify surgery and reduce the overall burden on the patient. It also allows the surgical team to focus entirely on the primary site rather than splitting attention between two locations, which can help keep the procedure efficient from start to finish.

Providing a Consistent, Readily Available Supply

Autograft quality and quantity can vary widely from patient to patient. Factors like age, bone density, and previous surgeries all affect how much usable graft can be harvested. In some cases, surgeons simply can’t obtain enough autograft to fill a large defect or multilevel fusion.

Synthetic grafts are manufactured to precise specifications, so each unit offers the same composition and performance. They’re available in various quantities and packaging formats, such as syringes or graft tubes, which helps surgeons and hospital teams plan cases with greater confidence. This consistency is a major reason synthetic bone grafting supports more predictable results.

Supporting Bone Growth at Every Stage of Healing

Bone healing happens in phases, and an ideal graft should support the process from early integration through long-term remodeling. Materials that resorb too quickly may leave gaps before new bone fills in, while materials that resorb too slowly can interfere with remodeling. Balancing these timelines is one of the biggest challenges in graft design.

OsteoFlo® NanoPutty® addresses this with a quadphasic particle composed of hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, beta-tricalcium phosphate, and alpha-tricalcium phosphate. These materials are combined in a single particle to create a synergistic effect on bone growth at different time points. In a GLP preclinical model, OsteoFlo® NanoPutty® showed greater bone growth than a bioglass predicate at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Encouraging Cellular Activity With Nano-Surface Technology

Surface structure plays an important role in how cells interact with graft material. Research suggests that nanotopography can influence the proliferation, differentiation, and adhesion of bone-forming cells. Grafts with more surface area give cells more opportunities to attach and begin the healing process.

OsteoFlo® NanoPutty® features true nano-surface structures smaller than 100 nanometers, similar to those found in natural bone. This increased surface area is designed to optimize cell recognition and stimulate osteointegration. For surgeons seeking more predictable outcomes, this type of engineering represents a meaningful step forward in synthetic bone grafting.

Filling Tight Spaces With Flowable Handling

Handling characteristics matter just as much as biology in the operating room. A graft that’s difficult to shape, sticks to instruments, or washes away during irrigation can slow down a procedure and compromise placement. This is especially true in minimally invasive surgery, where working space is limited.

Flowable synthetic putties are designed to fill tight voids and resist migration. OsteoFlo® NanoPutty® requires no mixing, additives, or prior treatment and leaves no sticky residue. OsteoFlo® HydroFiber™ uses web interlace technology to form a cohesive structure when hydrated and can flow through tiny apertures, making it well suited for interbody cages and collapsed disc spaces when used with SurGenTec’s GraftGun® delivery system.

Matching Autograft Performance in the Spine

For many surgeons, the most important question is whether a synthetic graft can perform as well as autograft. OsteoFlo® HydroFiber™ is FDA-cleared as equivalent to autograft for spine and extremities, following nearly a decade of research and development. Pre-clinical testing conducted in accordance with FDA protocols demonstrated performance comparable to autograft in spinal procedures.

HydroFiber™ can be used as a stand-alone graft or as an autograft extender, and it can be hydrated with sterile saline, blood, or bone marrow aspirate. This flexibility lets surgeons customize the graft to their preferences while reducing reliance on donor site harvest. It is indicated for bony voids or gaps of the pelvis, posterolateral spine, intervertebral disc space, and extremities.

Advancing Bone Healing With SurGenTec

Synthetic bone grafting offers clear advantages, from eliminating donor site harvest to delivering consistent composition and engineered resorption. With advanced formulations and handling designed for modern techniques, these materials help surgeons pursue faster, more predictable bone growth for their patients.

SurGenTec continues to develop innovative biologics and delivery systems for spine and orthopedic surgery. Contact SurGenTec today to learn more about the OsteoFlo® portfolio, request product information, or explore opportunities to become a distributor.

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