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    Surgery: Non-Ossifying Fibroma

    Non-ossifying fibroma treatment in children: curettage, bone grafting, pathological fracture management. Dr. Priano, Milan.

    Surgical treatment for symptomatic or at-risk lesions

    Learn about this condition →

    Surgical Techniques

    Curettage and Bone Grafting

    Surgical emptying of the lesion and filling with autologous bone graft or synthetic bone substitutes.

    When it is used

    Symptomatic lesions or lesions considered at risk, and situations following a pathological fracture. Size relative to bone diameter is only one of the elements assessed: site, remaining cortex, symptoms, any fracture and the child's activity level all matter.

    Recovery

    Protected weight bearing for some weeks, with timing related to the site and the amount of bone treated. Healing is followed with clinical and radiographic checks.

    Postoperative Overview

    Surgical treatment of non-ossifying fibroma is rarely necessary. Most lesions resolve spontaneously with skeletal maturity. Surgery is reserved for selected cases, assessed by integrating symptoms, site, size, remaining cortex and activity. The course described below is an indicative pathway, personalised after surgery.

    Recovery Pathway (indicative)

    Note: This is an indicative pathway, personalised after surgery. Some elements are relatively stable (goal of the procedure, approximate hospital stay, presence of a cast or brace); others depend on the individual case (weight bearing, range of motion, imaging, sport, hardware removal, follow-up intervals) and on the surgical technique chosen.

    1. Hospital stay

      Day-surgery or one night in hospital.

    2. First weeks

      First weeks: protected weight bearing with crutches as instructed.

    3. Second month

      Progressive weight bearing, with an X-ray check to verify graft integration.

    4. Third month

      Progressive resumption of daily activities, based on the clinical and radiographic course.

    5. Return to sport

      Indicative pathway: return to sport generally occurs over a few months; contact sports are reintroduced after healing is confirmed.

    6. Follow-up

      Scheduled clinical and radiographic checks in the following weeks and months, with intervals modulated on the course.

    Possible Complications

    Rare: infection, failure of graft integration, recurrence (very rare with complete curettage).

    For parents

    Non-Ossifying Fibroma: condition information page

    Causes, diagnosis, conservative options and when surgery is considered.

    Questions about this surgery?

    Book a consultation to discuss your child's specific case.

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