title: Biologic factors affecting spinal fusion and bone regeneration.
abstract: METHODS
  Literature review.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This article reviews the existing data on the multiplicity of local and systemic factors affecting lumbar spinal fusion and the general biology of bone regeneration.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Arthrodesis is one of the most commonly performed, yet incompletely understood, procedures in spinal surgery. There exists a paucity of knowledge about the basic biology involved in achieving a successful fusion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medline and manual search of all relevant articles were performed and summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success or failure of spinal fusion may be influenced by a host of local and systemic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research should focus on expanding our existing knowledge pertaining to the basic biology of bone regeneration specific to spinal fusion.
authors: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
authors: S D
authors: SD
authors: Boden
authors: D R
authors: DR
authors: Sumner
mesh_terms: D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion