Orthopedic Gouges & Their Uses

Orthopedic surgery restores and preserves the functioning of the skeletal system as well as the related structures, including the spinal cord, joints and muscles. Orthopedic gouges, when used in conjunction with a mallet, are designed to remove bone matter in various ways.

Bone Grafting

• Gouges that are straight or curved along the long axis harvest bone grafts and prepare bone to receive a bone graft. Surgeons use gouges with a curve from side to side to scoop away bone.

Hibbs Gouges

• Hibbs gouges, the most commonly used type of orthopedic gouges in bone surgery, have straight or curved blades with a width of 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches and a handle length of 9 inches.

Cobb Spinal Gouges

• Cobb spinal gouges, used in spinal surgery, have blades that are 5/16 inches wide and 11 inches long. The blades are straight or curved and have a medium, sharp or reverse curve.