Bone Morphogenic Protein

Spine fusion surgery causes two or more vertebrae to heal together so that painful motion is eliminated. This operation usually relies on bone harvested from the iliac crest (pelvis bone) to promote healing. Some patients experience pain from the incision that is used to remove the bone from the pelvis. In certain circumstances, a newly available, genetically derived, bone growth factor can be used instead of the patients own bone. BMP is currently approved for anterior lumbar inter-body fusion. Ask Dr. Pollard if you are a candidate for the use of bone morphogenic protein.