Bone Morphogenetic Protein

Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) is an isolated protein that stimulates specific cells in our body to form new bone. If a patient requires a large bone graft reconstruction, BMP may be recommended to help grow new bone in addition to the use of a bone graft.

During surgery, the BMP is soaked into and binds with a collagen sponge.  The collagen sponge is then placed at the same site where new bone formation is required. As the sponge dissolves, the bone morphogenic protein stimulates the cells to produce new bone.

Traditionally, large bone graft reconstruction surgery required the use of large pieces of bone from the patient’s hip. Since there is no need to harvest bone from the hip, a patient is spared a second surgical procedure to harvest the bone, including the associated recovery time and possible complications. Furthermore, the bone graft surgery can be done as an outpatient procedure in the clinic rather than in a hospital operating room.  The patient also no longer requires a hospital stay of 1-2 days.

Your doctor would discuss all grafting options with you at the time of consultation, including if BMP would be recommended.