Calcium‐Based Bone Substitutes

This chapter presents a case scenario of a 54‐year‐old female who presents with a fractured tibial plateau following a low energy injury at home. Periarticular fractures are common injuries that result from indirect coronal and/or direct axial compressive forces. Autogenous bone graft, typically from the iliac crest, has been stated in the past to be the gold standard of bone grafting. Calcium phosphate cement has increased compression strength and improved custom‐filling of bone defects. Osteoporotic cancellous bone has high porosity and low mechanical strength. Calcium phosphate cements may be molded or injected to custom‐fill defects. Any alternative graft material should have a better risk/benefit profile than the current standard. Calcium phosphate results in less pain than anterior iliac crest bone grafting. Calcium phosphate lowers the infection rate in distal radius fractures. The chapter also provides recommendations for implementing evidence‐based practice in the clinical setting.