I heard a news report that sea coral can be used to fuse bones together. Is this true?
Certain species of sea coral can be harvested for calcium carbonate. This is then converted into a substance called hydroxyapatite. A product called ProOsteon 200 has been made with hydroxyapatite for use as a bone substitute. Bone substitutes have been used in studies to repair bone fractures. Studies in animals and humans are underway with this compound. A new study from the Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery in England is not so favorable. ProOsteon 200 was used in a group of patients with neck problems. Two or more bodies of the cervical spine were fused together using ProOsteon 200. Two groups were compared: those with neck fusion using bone substitute and those with human bone graft. For this use, the ProOsteon 200 didn’t hold up. The study was ended early. More research is needed in this area before sea coral can be used for all bone fusions.
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