10. BMP-2 Causes Increased Postoperative Radiculitis Following TLIF

Abstract

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: For the past decade, off-label use of BMP-2 has increased, causing some alarm as to unknown side effects associated with these non-FDA approved usages. One of these off-labeled uses is with and around interbody cages placed through a posterior, transforaminal approach in which the BMP-2/sponge construct is substituted for autologous bone graft within the interbody cage. Because of its pro-inflammatory effect, some surgeons have cautioned against using BMP-2 adjacent to the nerve root sleeve or neuroforamina where aggressive bone formation or inflammatory response may cause irritation to the nerve roots.