title: Upper limb non-unions treated with BMP-7: efficacy and clinical results.
abstract: The management of upper limb non-unions can be challenging and often with unpredictable outcomes. In this study we present our experience with the use of BMP-7 in the treatment of upper limb non-unions. Between 2004 and 2011 all consecutive patients who were treated with BMP-7 were followed up prospectively until fracture union. Fracture union was assessed with regular radiological and clinical assessment. At the final follow up clinical assessment included the short Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. The minimum follow up was 12 months (12-36). In total 42 patients met the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 47 years. Anatomical distribution of the nonunion sites included 19 cases of mid/proximal forearm, 14 humeri, 6 distal radius and 3 clavicle. 35 patients had atrophic non-union, 11 had previous open fractures, and 10 had bone loss (range 1-3 cm). The mean number of operations performed and the mean time from injury to BMP-7 application was 1.5 and 26 months, respectively. 40 fractures had both clinical and radiological union whereas 2 patients had partial radiological union but a pain free range of motion. BMP-7 was applied in isolation in 1 case and in 41 cases the application was combined with autologous bone grafting. DASH scores were available at final follow up in 23 (55%) patients with a mean of 33 score (range 2-86.4). This study supports the view that the combination of ABG and BMP-7 can be considered as a successful treatment modality for the treatment of recalcitrant upper limb non-unions. Further studies preferably randomised controlled trials are desirable to throw more light into the role of BMP-7 in the treatment of upper limb nonunions.
authors.affiliation: Academic department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rahul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Academic department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Sabri
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bleibleh
authors.affiliation: Academic department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Nikolaos K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Kanakaris
authors.affiliation: Academic department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Leeds Teaching Hospitals, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; NIHR Leeds Biomedical Research Unit, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, UK. Electronic address: p.giannoudi@aol.com.
authors.forename: Peter V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Giannoudis
mesh_terms: D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: C525819:BMP7 protein, human; D055419:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7
keywords: Fracture non-union; Growth factor; Upper limb BMP-7