Special segment: soft tissue matrices--soft-tissue augmentation of the foot and ankle using an acellular regenerative tissue scaffold.

Surgical treatment of damaged soft-tissue structures in the young and physically active patient requires keen understanding of biomechanical forces that are placed on the repair during rehabilitation. Over the years, several materials have been evaluated to mechanically augment suture repair. Autograft tissues such as the gastrocnemius fascia, flexor hallicus longus, peroneus brevis, fascia lata, and plantaris have been implemented successfully. Concerns over donor site morbidity have limited the use of these autologous tissues. Allografts such as fascia lata and tendon have been used successfully but are plagued with practical issues such as inflammatory reaction and suture retention weakness. Acellular regenerative tissue scaffolds have gained in popularity in recent years because of the limited host inflammatory response, ease of use, and high tensile strength.