Background: Aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcome after treatment of hallux rigidus with implantation of a resorbable polymer-based implant immersed with autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
Methods: Forty-five patients with hallux rigidus were treated with three-stage resection arthroplasty and subsequent covering of the metatarsal head with a polyglycolic acid-hyaluronan implant immersed with autologous PRP. Patients were clinically assessed using the AOFAS rating scale preoperatively and at 12 and 24 month follow-up. Alignment and range of motion in the metatarsophalangeal joint was measured using a goniometer.
Results: The AOFAS rating scale and ROM showed significant (p<.01) improvement in all subcategories one and two years after surgery compared to the preoperative situation.
Conclusions: Covering of the metatarsal head after resection arthroplasty with the PGA-hyaluronan implant immersed with autologous PRP is safe and leads to a notable improvement of the symptoms in patients with hallux rigidus.
Keywords: Defect cover; Hallux rigidus; Implant; Metatarsophalangeal joint; Platelet-rich plasma; Polyglycolic acid; Resection arthroplasty.
Copyright © 2017 European Foot and Ankle Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.