The Business of Law – Marketing and Business for Enterprising Attorneys

I’m catching up on some of the news that broke over the summer, and one of the interesting stories was about bioengineered proteins usined during spinal fusion procedures to correct neck pain. These substances sold by either Medtronic or Stryker are not technically approved for neck procedures, but Doctor’s are not prevented from using them for that. A new study however suggests that patients whose treatment included the proteins had more complications than patients who didn’t.

According to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, (subscription required) researchers at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that patients who received the proteins during treatment for lower or middle back pain had increased complications after the procedures, and in some cases those complications may have been underreported because they did not occur until after patients left the hospital. Check out a very good New York Times story on the subject here.

While the study is fairly new, we at Sokolove have been following the complications associated with off-label use of these proteins going back more than a year. In fact, the FDA has received dozens of complaints over the past four years of neck swelling and breathing problems in patients given the product for neck pain.

Last July the problem became so accute that the FDA issued a Public Health Notificiation indicating the life-threatening complications associated with the proteins. In December and January, the first lawsuits were filed.

As ever, we’re monitoring the situation and looking for affiliates who are interested in potential leads in this area. If you’re interested in partnering with us on marketing efforts, shoot me a note.