The use of amniotic membrane/umbilical cord in first metatarsophalangeal joint cheilectomy: a comparative bilateral case study.

Hallux rigidus is marked by degenerative osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint with pain and stiffness in the joint, with first ray plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, swelling and inflammation surrounding the first MTP joint, and reduced sagittal plane motion. Treatment of mild cases of hallux rigidus focuses on conservative, nonsurgical treatments such as rigid orthotic devices, physical therapy, pain relievers, and corticosteroid injections. Hallux rigidus recalcitrant to conservative management can be treated with dorsal cheilectomy to palliate pain at extremes of motion. Post-cheilectomy scarring and stiffness of the joint result in a diminished arc of motion over time. This clinical problem is not readily addressed by current treatment methods. Amniotic membrane/umbilical cord has the potential to modulate adult wound healing by suppressing stromal cellular-based inflammation and reducing scarring. Cryopreserved amniotic membrane/umbilical cord (AM/UC) tissue has been successfully used for minimizing postoperative inflammation, pain, and adhesion formation following various soft tissue reconstructive procedures, particularly in ophthalmology. Recently, the therapeutic potential of cryopreserved AM/UC has been expanded for use in lower extremity reconstructive procedures, specifically where wound healing and adhesion prevention are of clinical significance. This article reviews a bilateral case report experience of the novel utility of cryopreserved AM/UC tissue as an adhesion barrier and inflammatory modulator in conjunction with dorsal cheilectomy for treatment of hallux rigidus.