A 24-month follow-up after treatment of hallux rigidus with resection arthroplasty in combination with a resorbable polymer-based implant and platelet-rich plasma.

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.