Ankle and foot bone growth compositions and methods
View Patent ↗The present invention provides an improved technique for spinal fusion involving the administration of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor to a fusion. The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is preferably delivered to the site by a carrier. More preferably, the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is delivered to the site by a non-compressible delivery vehicle. The invention is suitable for promoting non-anatomic or heterotopic bone growth between any bony surfaces where bone growth is desired but does not naturally occur.
1. A method for enhancing non-anatomic bone formation of a foot or ankle bone, the method comprising the steps of administering an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor to the foot or ankle bone.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is lovastatin, pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, dalvastatin, fluindostatin, cerivastatin, mevastatinor velostatin.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is administered using a carrier.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the carrier is a non-compressible carrier.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the non-compressible carrier is coated with the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.
6. The method of claim 3 wherein the carrier is a compressible carrier.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the compressible carrier is a hydrogel.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the carrier is an open cell matrix.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the open cell matrix is formed from collagen fibers.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the collagen fibers are coated with resorbable hydroxyapatite.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the hydroxyapatite further comprises calcium.
12. The method of claim 3 wherein the carrier further comprises an antibiotic, an antioxidant, an anti-inflammatory, a growth factor, an immunosuppressant or an analgesic.
13. The method of claim 4 wherein the non-compressible carrier comprises at least one implantation stick for application to the foot or ankle bone.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of administering the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor includes the step of applying the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor with a time release drug delivery system.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the time release drug delivery system comprises a hydrogel.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of administering the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor includes administering 0.1-1 gram of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor to the site per treatment.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein administering is repeated 3-5 times.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor is administered directly or locally.