UCI Doctor Finds Genetically Engineered Protein

That Halves Healing Time For Spinal Fusions

February 2005

Dr. Charles Rosen, founding director of the University of California at Irvine Spine Center, announced findings showing that a new material made of human proteins greatly speeds the recovery time and improves the success rate for lumbar spine fusions.

The new material is called Bone Morphogenic Protein (BMP). It is the culmination of decades of research to isolate and produce the exact substance in humans that causes bones to heal when broken and spines to fuse when operated upon. Its production in concentrated form is the result of the recent advances in genetic engineering.

ñWeÍre only a short time away from using BMP for all sorts of bone injuries from fractures to bone diseases to joint reconstruction. BMP will revolutionize the way bones are treated,î he said.

Dr. Rosen says his research shows that with BMP the time to fusion and recovery is twice as fast with a success rate of ñan unheard of 95 percent.î The breakthrough technique also can be used for neck fusions, he said, adding that some patients are walking right after surgery.

Using BMP, Dr. Rosen has had a 95 percent success rate with not only his lumbar fusions, but also with his neck surgeries, one of the most difficult spinal operations to perform.

ñMore than 60 percent of the United States population has suffered debilitating back pain. It is the greatest single health expense in regards to both work days missed and dollars spent on treatment,î Dr. Rosen said.

ñBased on these latest successes in both lumbar and cervical surgery, I believe its future use for bone problems is limited only by the imagination. ItÍs truly astounding to see bones fuse so rapidly and so strongly, compared to the old standard of using bone grafts,î he said.

Traditionally, back surgery involved replacing degenerating discs or vertebrae with bone taken from the patientÍs own hip and is called a bone graft. It is painful, can have multiple complications and often results in failures of fusion, which is usually the reason for multiple repeat back surgeries and poor results, Dr. Rosen said.

ñWith almost an assured fusion and no bone graft pain, it is beyond me why all spine surgeons donÍt use BMP after mastering the technique.î

ñWith BMP,, bone grafts will become obsolete for spinal surgery. BMP is simply injected into a metal cage put between the vertebrae or laid along side without the cage. In three months it turns into solid bone. Recovery is twice as fast, and so is return to work. Fusion success rate is 95 percent almost eliminating failed fusion surgery. Bone graft pain, which is usually more painful than the surgery, also is eliminated. We have people up and walking the same day of surgery,î Dr. Rosen said.