Free vascularized medial femoral condyle autograft for challenging upper extremity nonunions.

Abstract

Free vascularized bone grafts from the medial femoral condyle have increasingly demonstrated utility in the successful treatment of challenging nonunions and bony defects. The consistent, robust vascular anatomy and the versatility to function as either a thin, flexible periosteal or corticoperiosteal graft or as a structural corticocancellous graft have made this graft a valuable option for addressing recalcitrant nonunions. The rationale, indications, vascular anatomy, and surgical technique of harvesting these grafts from the medial femoral condyle are presented.