Millions of Americans suffer from osteoarthritis; the chronic degeneration of joint surfaces. This degradation leads to pain, stiffness, tenderness, swelling, and soft tissue inflammation that significantly disrupts daily life.

Tibial plateau fractures with intra-articular depression as described by the Schatzker classification can lead to premature osteoarthritis due to involvement of the meniscus and articular surface. Demineralized bone matrix (DBM) and autologous bone grafts hold commonplace in open repair of fractures, however, there are many differences between the two types of products with a paucity of literature establishing a gold standard for their use in depressed tibial plateau fractures.

Of the three main categories of biologics (auto-, allo-, and synthetic grafts), autografts display the highest compatibility and highest array of desired properties within orthopedics, including optimal osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and osteogenicity. Autografts also include the least cost burden, but at a greater risk of morbidity to the patient. Allografts demonstrate slightly less osteoconductive properties, less potential osteoinductive properties, and no osteogenic potential.

Polymyalgia Rheumatica is the most common chronic inflammatory condition in older adults, with an incidence of 100 per 100,000 in patients over 50 years old. It is associated with Giant cell arteritis, which is the most common type of vasculitis in adults that can result in blindness.