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.