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Spine fusion is a commonly performed procedure uniting two or more motion segments
of the human spine. This process has traditionally involved taking bone from one
part of the patient’s anatomy and moving it to another or alternatively borrowing
bone from a cadaver and transplanting it into the patient. However, the transplanted
bone (from the patient or cadaver) does not form an instantaneous fusion. Essentially,
the bone graft is converted by the body into a solid mass of bone uniting the motion
segments. What are the problems associated with fusion? First, bone graft harvested
from one location (commonly the pelvis) can produce pain. Second, bone graft (from
the patient or cadaver) does not always convert into a solid fusion.
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Two proteins that help stimulate the fusion process have been discovered – bone
morphogenetic proteins (BMP-2 and BMP-7). These proteins are found naturally in the human
body. In 1988, these proteins were identified and re-produced with genetic engineering.
Experimentation with the genetically reproduced proteins led scientist to realize that
they (BMP-2) could stimulate bone formation. In 1997, genetically created BMP was used
in patients undergoing spine fusion on an experimental basis. Further studies are currently
being used to evaluate the full spectrum of use of BMP in all forms of fusion.
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