Persistence of bone voids after calcaneal bone-graft harvest

OBJECTIVES: The complications associated with iliac crest bone-graft harvest have resulted in the development of alternative harvest sites. Lower extremity alternative sites that have been reported for foot and ankle procedures include greater trochanter, proximal tibia, distal tibia, and calcaneus. These sites have been studied in terms of complications, postoperative pain, and quality of the harvested bone. The long-term effect of the harvest on the bone of the calcaneus has not been reported. METHODS: Case report on incidental CT imaging 4 years after bone graft harvest from the calcaneus. RESULTS: This case demonstrates the failure of the calcaneal trabecular bone to regenerate after harvesting cancellous bone graft for foot fusion procedure. CONCLUSIONS: The calcaneal graft site should not be used for a repeat bone-graft harvest without advanced imaging to confirm reconstitution of the harvest bed.