Osteocel® Plus in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF)

Osteocel® Plus in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF): Evaluation of Radiographic and Patient Outcomes

This study is being conducted to determine the percentage of patients with solid spinal fusions after being treated with Osteocel Plus in an ALIF procedure. Due to the unique processing conditions, Osteocel Plus retains a high concentration of stem cells in conjunction with the allograft bone matrix, so it is hypothesized that the fusion rate with Osteocel Plus will be comparable to published data for autograft. The Osteocel product family has already been used in approximately 15,000 cases worldwide.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Degenerative Disc Disease, Lumbar
• Intervention / Treatment: Biological: Osteocel Plus

Detailed Description

This is a prospective, non-randomized multi-center study to compare the use of Osteocel Plus in subjects who receive ALIF surgery at one or two levels. These subjects will present with degenerative conditions in the lumbar spine that are amenable to surgical treatment and will be screened prior to study enrollment. Subjects will receive Osteocel Plus during their ALIF operation. Subjects will be followed for 24-months following surgery to determine the number of study subjects that are solidly fused at or before 24 months postoperatively, and to determine the mean time to fusion. This data will be compared to published and/or retrospective data for autograft, synthetic ceramics and BMP.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 51

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • San Francisco, California, United States, 94143
      • University of California at San Francisco
  • Indiana
    • Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 46278
      • OrthoIndy, Indiana Orthopedic Hospital
    • Kokomo, Indiana, United States, 46901
      • Indiana Spine Group, St. Joseph's Hospital
  • Minnesota
    • Edina, Minnesota, United States, 55435
      • Twin Cities Orthopaedics, University of Minnesota Medical Center
  • Montana
    • Billings, Montana, United States, 59101
      • Ortho Montana
  • Ohio
    • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195
      • Cleveland Clinic
  • Texas
    • Austin, Texas, United States, 78731
      • Central Texas Spine Institute, Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Existing clinic patients

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Persistent back and/or leg pain unresponsive to conservative treatment for at least six (6) months, unless clinically indicated earlier
2. Indicated for interbody fusion of one or two contiguous lumbar segments (L1 to S1)
3. Objective evidence of primary diagnosis must be confirmed by appropriate imaging studies
4. 18-70 years of age at the date of written informed consent
5. Able to undergo surgery based on physical exam, medical history and surgeon judgment
6. Expected to survive at least 2 years beyond surgery
7. Willing and able to return for post-treatment exams according to the follow-up called for in the protocol
8. Signed and dated Informed Consent Form

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patient has a mental or physical condition that would limit the ability to comply with study requirements
2. Lumbar spine abnormality requiring treatment at more than two levels
3. Systemic or local infection; active or latent
4. Previous failed fusion at the operative level
5. Diseases that significantly inhibit bone healing (osteoporosis, metabolic bone disease, uncontrolled diabetes, dialysis dependent renal failure, symptomatic liver disease)
6. Undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or chronic use of steroids (defined as more than 6 weeks of steroid use within 12 months of surgery, other than episodic use or inhaled corticosteroids)
7. Pregnant, or plans to become pregnant during the study
8. Subject is a prisoner
9. Involvement in active litigation relating to the spine (worker's compensation claim is allowed if it is not contended)
10. A significant general illness (e.g., HIV, active metastatic cancer of any type) is present; subject is immunocompromised or is being treated with immunosuppressive agents
11. Participating in another clinical study that would confound study data

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
To evaluate the fusion rates of Osteocel Plus in one or two level(s) for ALIF subjects.	from pre-op to 24-months follow-up

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
To evaluate the rate of complications for Osteocel Plus and compare to published and/or retrospective data for autograft or bone morphogenetic protein (BMP).	from pre-op to 24-month follow-up
To evaluate and compare radiographic outcome with respect to clinical outcome (function and pain).	from pre-op to 24-months post-op
To evaluate and compare each outcome with respect to surgical time and blood loss.	pre-op to 24-month follow-up

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: NuVasive

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• NuVasive, Inc.

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: April 1, 2009
• Primary Completion (Actual): October 1, 2012
• Study Completion (Actual): October 1, 2012

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 27, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 28, 2009
• First Posted (Estimated): July 29, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimated): December 24, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 17, 2025
• Last Verified: December 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: ALIF; biologics; lumbar fusion; fusion rates
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Bone Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Spinal Diseases; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
• Other Study ID Numbers: NUVA.OC-0803