Clinical applications of BMP-7: the UK perspective.

Treatment of fracture non-union is a challenging situation in skeletal surgery. Since the discovery of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) by Urist preclinical research as well as clinical trials has shown the efficacy of these molecules in bone healing enhancement. Recombinant bone morphogenetic protein became available in UK during August 2001. We evaluated the type of indications and the efficacy of BMP-7 in a variety of clinical conditions including persistent fracture non-unions, augmentation of periprosthetic fracture treatment and osteotomies, enhancement of fracture healing following acetalular reconstruction, distraction osteogenesis, free fibular graft and arthrodesis of joints. Out of 653 cases, the overall success rate was 82% (535 cases). No local or systemic adverse effects were encountered. The role of BMP's as a bone stimulating agent is safe, well established and could be considered as a power adjunct in the surgeon's armamentarium for the treatment of these challenging clinical conditions.