Bad Back Sufferers See Hope in Spinal Regeneration Protein Tests

Researchers are testing bone morphogenetic proteins on patients with painful lower back disc problems to regrow spinal disc cartilage. Use of the proteins avoids the use of surgery is appears to be providing meaningful recovery in trial tests.

Bone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are a group of growth factors and cytokines known for their ability to induce the formation of bone and cartilage. Originally described in 1983, seven such proteins were discovered. Of these, six (BMP2 through BMP7) belong to the Transforming growth factor beta superfamily of proteins originally . Since then, thirteen more BMPs have been discovered, bringing the total to twenty. [1]

Now, doctors are performing BMP clinical trials on lower (non-cervical) spines to regrow disc tissue.

While regeneration results look promising for lower back pain, use of BMPs in the upper spine has not been recommended:
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2009 JAMA report: Prevalence, Complications, and Hospital Charges Associated With Use of Bone-Morphogenetic Proteins in Spinal Fusion Procedures

Bone morphogenetic protein: is recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7 or Osteogenic Protein 1), a recombinant version of a naturally occurring growth factor that belongs to a class of proteins known as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) that are the only known proteins capable of inducing the formation of new bone. [2] (No product endorsement is implied or intended.)

Other Lumbar Restoration Processes

Bone grafting: is a different process that does not employ morphogenetic proteins. Sometimes known as “bone in a bottle”, bone grafting is used to repair fractures and for dental reconstruction. For additional details please see page “Bone Grafting“.

Lumbar Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR): This is a surgery which replaces the worn out lumbar disc with an artificial disc.

Injectable Gel: FDA approval was given in 2006 to conduct a pilot human clinical trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of an injectable gel. The gel is injected into the disc area to replace worn or leaking disc fluids. [3] [4]