Concentrated Bone Marrow Aspirate Injection for Hallux Sesamoid Disorders
Authors: Shimozono Yoshiharu , Seow Dexter , Kennedy John G. 
Published: October 2019

Category:

Midfoot/Forefoot, Sports

Introduction/Purpose:

Sesamoidectomy is the most common surgical procedure for the treatment of hallux sesamoid pathology, including fracture, acute separation of bipartite sesamoid, sesamoiditis, and avascular necrosis (AVN). However, there is a concern of complications following sesamoidectomy, such as the development of hallux valgus/varus and transfer metatarsalgia due to the altered mechanical loading on the forefoot. Recent systematic review showed high complication rate of 22.5% following sesamoidectomy, prompting surgeons to find alternative methods. Concentrated bone marrow aspirate (CBMA) may have the potential to treat sesamoid disorders with avoidance of sesamoid resection. However, there is no studies investigating the effect of CBMA for sesamoid disorders. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcomes following the use of CBMA for hallux sesamoid disorders.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study investigating consecutive patients treated with CBMA injection for the treatment of sesamoid disorders were performed. The sesamoid disorders included sesamoiditis, symptomatic bipartite or chronic nonunited sesamoid and AVN. The CBMA injection was indicated for patients with failed a minimum of 3 months non-surgical management including activity limitation, customized orthotics, physiotherapy and extracorporeal shockwave therapy. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS), Short-Form 12 (SF-12), and visual analog scale (VAS) scores preoperatively and at final follow-up.

Results:

Total of 13 feet were included. The mean age was 26.9 years and mean follow-up time was 19.1 months. Patient demographic is shown in Table 1. Mean symptoms, pain, daily activities, sports activities and quality of life scores in FAOS significantly improved from 63.9, 55.4, 68.4, 37.3, and 30.9 preinjection to 91.2, 84.1 92.9, 72.7, and 64.8 postinjection, respectively at final follow-up (p<0.001). The mean SF-12 and VAS score significantly improved (34.3 to 62.5, 5.7 to 1.5, respectively, p<0.001). Of 9 patients played sports at preinjection, 7 patients returned to play at previous level. Two patients failed the treatment. One had second-CBMA injection and final VAS score was 1.0. Another one required subsequent shockwave-therapy followed by platelet-rich plasma injection with final VAS score of 1.5.

Conclusion:

No complications and adverse effects were reported in this cohort. In addition, no patients had any signs of progression or new emerge of AVN on plain radiographs. The current study demonstrates that CBMA injection is a safe and effective treatment for hallux sesamoid disorders when conservative treatment fails, with avoidance of sesamoid resection. CBMA injection can be a valid alternative for the treatment of sesamoid disorders, as it permits preservation of the biomechanical stability provided by the sesamoids which is an element inevitably vital for long-term quality of life. Further studies investigating long-term effects of this treatment should be warranted.