What is Medtronic Infuse?
Infuse is a man-made liquid form of bone morphogenetic protein, or BMP. It is implanted between vertebrae soaked in a sponge-like substance enclosed in a metallic cage. It is intended to cause bone growth that fills the gap between vertebrae to replace damaged disks. Medtronic Infuse Off-Label Use & Side Effects / Problems The Wall Street journal reported that patients say they have been harmed in off-label uses of Infuse, which is approved only for a small section of the spine, in the lower lumbar region. At least 280 reports of sided effects involving Infuse have been made to the FDA. Approximately three quarters of those reports involve off-label use. In July, FDA issued a safety alert about complications from the off-label use of Infuse in the neck, or cervical area of the spine. These complications, which can be life threatening, include swelling of the neck and patients reporting difficulty swallowing, breathing and speaking. Several patients required emergency treatment, includi
