Version 1
: Received: 16 November 2023 / Approved: 20 November 2023 / Online: 20 November 2023 (03:36:52 CET)
Version 2
: Received: 18 January 2024 / Approved: 19 January 2024 / Online: 19 January 2024 (07:54:24 CET)
Bruton, R.; Gilliland, T.L.; Shou, J.J.; Woods, C.G.; Lambert, N.E.; Barrett, T.C. Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Allograft for Connective Tissue Defects Surrounding Nerves in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Retrospective Case Series. Reports 2024, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7010008
Bruton, R.; Gilliland, T.L.; Shou, J.J.; Woods, C.G.; Lambert, N.E.; Barrett, T.C. Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Allograft for Connective Tissue Defects Surrounding Nerves in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Retrospective Case Series. Reports 2024, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7010008
Bruton, R.; Gilliland, T.L.; Shou, J.J.; Woods, C.G.; Lambert, N.E.; Barrett, T.C. Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Allograft for Connective Tissue Defects Surrounding Nerves in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Retrospective Case Series. Reports 2024, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7010008
Bruton, R.; Gilliland, T.L.; Shou, J.J.; Woods, C.G.; Lambert, N.E.; Barrett, T.C. Wharton’s Jelly Tissue Allograft for Connective Tissue Defects Surrounding Nerves in the Tarsal Tunnel: A Retrospective Case Series. Reports 2024, 7, 8. https://doi.org/10.3390/reports7010008
Abstract
Caused by age or trauma, collapsed connective tissue can cause nerve entrapment and damage within the tarsal tunnel. Tarsal tunnel syndrome is relatively underdiagnosed. This study presents an intervention targeting damaged tissues surrounding the nerves and replacing the structural cushioning with a Wharton’s jelly tissue allograft. The eight selected patients from four clinical sites had tarsal tunnel-related defects. Patient outcomes were tracked on a 90-day calendar utilizing the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC). All patients had failed standard care practices for at least six weeks. Each patient received a Wharton’s jelly tissue allograft to sites around the affected tarsal tunnel. No patients experienced adverse reactions. Percent change calculated from the initial application to the 90-day follow-up showed an improvement of 59.43% in NPRS and a 37.58% improvement in WOMAC. This study provides evidence that WJ allograft applications are safe, minimally invasive, and efficacious for patients who have failed standard care treatments for tissue defects associated with Tarsal Tunnel syndrome. Limitations include the small cohort size and nonblinded nature. The results of this study warrant further research to confirm the efficacy, optimal dose, protocol, and durability of Wharton's jelly.
Keywords
tarsal tunnel; nerve damage; neuropathy; wharton’s jelly; regenerative medicine
Subject
Medicine and Pharmacology, Clinical Medicine
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Commenter: Naomi Lambert
Commenter's Conflict of Interests: Author