A Multicenter, Retrospective, Case Series of Patients With Charcot Neuroarthropathy Deformities Undergoing Arthrodesis Utilizing Recombinant Human Platelet-derived Growth Factor With Beta-Tricalcium Phosphate

Comparative Studies of Bone Graft and Orthobiologics for Foot Ankle Arthrodesis: A Critical Review

Graft materials available to supplement hindfoot and ankle arthrodesis procedures include autologous (autograft) or allogeneic bone graft (allograft) but also bone graft substitutes such as demineralized bone matrix, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, and tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite. In addition, biologic agents, such as recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 or recombinant human platelet derived growth factor-BB (rhPDGF-BB), and preparations, including platelet-rich plasma or concentrated bone marrow aspirate, have been used to facilitate bone healing in ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis. The purpose of this review was to summarize the available clinical evidence surrounding the utilization and efficacy of the above materials and biological agents in ankle or hindfoot arthrodesis procedures, with emphasis on the quality of the existing evidence to facilitate clinical decision making.

The Efficiency of Highly Porous β-Tricalcium Phosphate With Bone Marrow Aspirate Concentrate in Midfoot Joint Arthrodesis

BACKGROUND

Nonunion is one of the most common and devastating complications following midfoot joint arthrodesis. Many different types of bone grafts and bone substitutes have been used to promote osseous fusion. However, there is no consensus on the gold standard bone grafting material and whether biologic materials should be used alone or in combination. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of highly porous β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in midfoot joint arthrodesis.

METHODS

This retrospective comparative study included patients who underwent midfoot joint arthrodesis using compression screws. Patients were classified into 2 groups: arthrodesis with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC (group A) and arthrodesis without them (group B). The osseous union rate was compared between the 2 groups. A total of 44 patients (46 feet) including 89 joints were included in this study.

RESULTS

There was a significant difference in the union rate between the 2 groups: 91.5% (43/47 joints) in arthrodesis with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC (group A) and 76.2% (32/42 joints) in arthrodesis without highly porous β-TCP and BMAC (group B; P = .048).

CONCLUSION

This study investigated the efficiency of highly porous β-TCP and BMAC to promote bony healing in midfoot joint arthrodesis. A significantly higher union rate was shown when arthrodesis was performed with highly porous β-TCP and BMAC, compared with arthrodesis performed without them. We suggest that highly porous β-TCP and BMAC can be a viable and effective adjunct to the fixation in midfoot joint arthrodesis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III: Retrospective comparative analysis.

A retrospective review of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor with beta-tricalcium phosphate bone graft substitute use in hindfoot and/or ankle arthrodesis

Background

Nonunion following foot and ankle arthrodesis can cause chronic pain and disability, poor patient satisfaction, and increased healthcare costs. Nonunion rates are reported in 10%-12% of primary foot and/or ankle arthrodesis procedures, with significantly greater rates among patients with high-risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, obesity, or Charcot neuroarthropathy. Recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor BB-homodimer with beta-tricalcium phosphate (rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP) is a bone graft substitute that has demonstrated efficacy in foot and ankle fusion rates that are comparable to autograft.

Methods

Charts and radiographs were retrospectively reviewed on consecutive adult patients undergoing talonavicular, calcaneal-cuboid, subtalar, and/or ankle arthrodesis utilizing rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP bone graft substitute. The primary outcome measures were rate of and mean time to fusion, mean time to return to function, and incidence of adverse events.

Results

This study reviewed133 patients who underwent 209 hindfoot and/or ankle joint arthrodesis procedures with a mean follow-up 20.34 ± 11.05 months. The overall fusion rate was 92.82% (194/209 joints) with a mean time to fusion of 13.14 ± 2.52 weeks and return to function of 16.56 ± 3.26 weeks. Overall, there were 7 (5.26%) patients who experienced an adverse event (AE) with 15 (7.18%) joints experiencing a nonunion.

Conclusion

Fusion rates with rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP bone grafting material compared favorably to autograft controls when used in hindfoot and/or ankle arthrodesis. No AEwas related to rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP. This study suggests that using rhPDGF-BB/β-TCP is effective in hindfoot and/or ankle arthrodesis, even among patients with comorbidities who are at a higher risk of developing a nonunion.

Level of clinical evidence

3.

Arthrodesis in the Deformed Charcot Foot

Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) is a systemic disease that causes fractures, dislocations, and deformities involving the foot and ankle, resulting in substantial risk of ulceration, infection, and function loss. Early recognition and prevention of collapsing foot and ankle are still the best options for the management of patients with diabetic CN. For a successful arthrodesis procedure, the principles of adequate joint preparation, deformity correction, and soft tissue protection and care are essentials, associated with robust fixation (internal and/or external), use of different biological graft options in segmental losses, and prolonged off-loading.