Advancing Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Treatment: Enhanced Biomechanical Support Through Graphene...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Orthopedic Engineering
• Nanotechnology in Medicine

Background:

• Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD) involves medial longitudinal arch collapse due to passive stabilizer injury.
• Current treatments use synthetic grafts lacking biological integration.
• Need for advanced biomaterials to enhance AAFD surgical repair.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel electrospun, twisted polymeric graft for AAFD treatment.
• To enhance biomechanical properties and biocompatibility using graphene oxide (GO).
• To assess the graft's in situ performance via computational modeling.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of a polycaprolactone (PCL) and type B gelatin (GT) graft, enhanced with graphene oxide (GO).
• Mechanical testing to determine Young's modulus (240.75 MPa for PCL-GT-GO 2.0%).
• Biocompatibility assays (hemolysis, wettability, platelet aggregation, MTT assay for cell viability >80%).
• In silico computational modeling of the human foot in various AAFD stages.

Main Results:

• The PCL-GT-GO 2.0% graft achieved optimal mechanical strength comparable to native ligaments.
• Demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, promoting cell adhesion and proliferation.
• Computational models showed the graft effectively prevented arch collapse and supported the hindfoot.

Conclusions:

• The bioengineered PCL-GT-GO graft shows significant potential as a regenerative scaffold for AAFD.
• This advanced material offers a promising alternative to conventional synthetic grafts in AAFD surgery.
• Highlights the successful integration of materials science for improved orthopedic patient care.