2025 AAOS Annual Meeting: Variables associated with Post-operative Dysfunction and Impaired Quality of Life in Patients with a Non-union or Bone Defect

One hundred four patients with long bone non-union or bone defects were randomized to receive autogenous iliac crest bone graft (n=XX) or Reamer Irrigator Aspirator (RIA) autograft (n=XX). The primary outcome of interest was functional status as measured by the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included the SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores. Outcomes were assessed at one year post-procedure. Overall, the results revealed that non-union at one year, preoperative opioid use, longer time from injury to baseline assessment, and worse baseline functional scores were associated with poorer function at one year. Similarly, non-union at one year, longer time from injury to baseline, and worse baseline MCS scores were associated with poorer mental health scores. However, the type of surgical grafting procedure did not influence patient-reported outcomes at one year. These findings suggest that preoperative patient characteristics and healing status may play a larger role in functional recovery than the choice of bone grafting method.