Table 2 Advantages and disadvantages of some sources of harvesting bone grafts

Iliac crest

Large bone volume, rich source of progenitor cells and growth factors, easy access, providing both cancellous and cortical bones

Nerve, arterial, and urethral injury, increased blood loss, hematoma, infection, chronic post-operative donor site pain, high patient morbidity, high recovery time, large scar, hip subluxation, pelvic fractures, costly, local infection

Distal radius

Lower bone turn-over than iliac crest, lower post-operative pain than the iliac crest, easy to harvest, small incision is needed

Superficial radial nerve injury, fracture, infection

Tibia

Easy to access, less operative time, and less gait disturbance than the iliac crest

Fracture, less bone volume than iliac crest, infection