POTENTIAL ROLE OF BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEINS IN FRACTURE-HEALING

Since their discovery, bone morphogenetic proteins have held the promi se for use in various orthopaedic diseases, One of the largest areas o f likely application is the area of fracture repair. Although millions of fractures occur annually and the majority heal satisfactorily, 5% to 10% go on to delayed union or nonunion, Bone morphogenetic proteins may be able to improve bony healing in these conditions and perhaps e nhance the healing of fractures that otherwise heal satisfactorily. Th is study examines the preclinical data to support the concept of enhan cing bony healing and discusses the preliminary data from clinical tri als using bone morphogenetic proteins to augment bony healing, Althoug h the potential clinical uses of bone morphogenetic proteins in fractu re healing remain significant, this potential has yet to be realized.