Fat Grafting for Pedal Fat Pad Atrophy in a 2-Year, Prospective, Randomized, Crossover, Single-Center Clinical Trial. Issue 6 (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Minteer, Danielle M.; Gusenoff, Beth R.; Gusenoff, Jeffrey A.
• Is Part Of: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Volume 142:Issue 6(2018:Dec.)
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Surgery, Plastic -- Periodicals; 617.95205
• DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000005006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-1052

Abstract

Abstract : Background: By age 60, 30 percent of Americans suffer from fat pad atrophy of the foot. Forefoot fat pad atrophy results from long-term aggressive activity, genetically dictated foot type, multiple forefoot steroid injections, surgery, and foot trauma. Methods: The authors present data from a 2-year, prospective, randomized crossover study performed to assess pain and disability indexes, fat pad thickness, forces, and pressures of stance and gait. Group 1 underwent fat grafting with 2 years of follow-up, and group 2 underwent conservative management for 1 year, then underwent fat grafting with 1 year of follow-up. Results: Eighteen subjects (14 women and four men) constituted group 1. Thirteen subjects (nine women and four men) constituted group 2. Group 1 reported the worst pain at baseline and group 2 experienced the worst pain at 6- and 12-month standard-of-care visits; pain for both groups improved immediately following fat grafting and lasted through study follow-up ( p < 0.05). Group 1 demonstrated functional improvements at 12, 18, and 24 months postoperatively ( p < 0.05), whereas group 2 demonstrated the highest function at 12 months postoperatively ( p < 0.05). Pedal fat pad thickness of subjects in group 1 increased postoperatively and returned to baseline thickness at 2 months postoperatively; subjects in group 2 experienced return to baseline thickness at 6 months postoperatively ( p < 0.01). Forces and pressures of stance and gait increased over the 2 years of follow-up for group 1 ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pedal fat grafting provides long-lasting improvements in pain and function, and prevents against worsening from conservative management. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, I. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text.