Recovering From Bone Grafting

A bone graft procedure is often necessary in order to repair a part of a person’s body. When receiving a bone graft, a person should expect to undergo invasive surgery. Understand that bone grafting requires the removal of a portion of bone from one body part, which is then placed elsewhere within the body. 

If you are considering a bone grafting procedure, you may want to be aware of the recovery process. There are a few important things that are worth noting, as they may help you prepare for afterward. We go over what recovery looks like here.

Recovering from bone grafting

Is a bone graft in your future? If so, then read on to find out what you need to know about the recovery period.

Timeline for recovery: Procedure dependent

The number-one question people want to know is how long the bone grafting recovery process will take. In short, there is not one answer. A bone graft can be used for just about anywhere in the body, meaning that the timeline for recovery depends on the portion of the body that needs repair.

The recovery time also depends on the size of the bone graft. If there is a need for a larger bone graft, then the recovery time may take longer. It has been said that recovery can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months.

It is important to note that the actual healing time for the bone grafted area will be much longer than the actual time needed to recover.

Tips for recovery

The surgeon will likely administer pain medications to be taken for a short time after the procedure. The area that was grafted will likely cause some discomfort, which can be managed with medications and rest.

Typically, the area that was grafted should also be kept dry and clean. Sometimes, there will be drainage from the incision, which is normal, but it should be cleaned regularly to avoid infection.

Avoiding exercise or strenuous activities will also be recommended, as this could put a strain on the area where the bone was grafted. If it is a dental bone grafting procedure, then a liquid diet may need to be adopted.

Follow up appointments

Recovering from bone grafting also requires that the patient goes to all their follow-up appointments. These allow the surgeon to examine the area that was grafted. Sometimes abnormalities occur, which could cause an infection, but the doctor will be able to advise on further care. 

Contact us today

If you have questions about bone grafting procedures and recovering from them, then feel free to reach out to our office today so we can help you. Our trained professionals would be happy to go over any bone grafting procedure with you, including answering any questions you may have about the process. Do give us a call or stop by our office!

Request an appointment here: https://www.drzabek.com or call Gregory Zabek Advanced General & Cosmetic Dentistry at (415) 362-1102 for an appointment in our San Francisco office.

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