The spine journal : official journal of the North American Spine Society
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Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) were developed with the goal of improving clinical outcomes through the promotion of bony healing and reducing morbidity from iliac crest bone graft harvest. ⋯ There was an overall decrease in rates of revision fusion procedures from 2002 to 2008. Introduction of BMP did not correlate with decrease in use of autograft bone harvest. Use of BMP correlated with substantial increase in hospital charges. The small decrease in revision surgeries recorded, combined with lack of significant change in autograft harvest rates, may question the financial justification for the use of BMP.
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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious health issue that may result in high health care costs, with additional social and psychological burdens. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment has been found to be beneficial for neurological recovery; however, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be characterized. ⋯ HBO treatment improved neurological recovery when applied after SCI. The expression level changes of VEGF and CX43 may contribute to the further understanding on the molecular mechanisms of HBO treatment on SCI.