Advancing Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity Treatment: Enhanced Biomechanical Support Through Graphene Oxide-Integrated Bioengineered Grafts Tested In Silico

Abstract

Adult-Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD) is a progressive orthopedic condition causing the collapse of the foot’s medial longitudinal arch, often linked with injuries to the plantar arch’s passive stabilizers, such as the spring ligament (SL) and plantar fascia. Conventional treatment typically involves replacing the SL with synthetic material grafts, which, while providing mechanical support, lack the biological compatibility of native ligaments. In response to this shortcoming, our study developed an electrospun, twisted polymeric graft made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and type B gelatin (GT), enhanced with graphene oxide (GO), a two-dimensional nanomaterial, to bolster biomechanical attributes. The addition of GO aimed to match the native ligamentous tissue’s mechanical strength, with the PCL-GT-GO 2.0% blend demonstrating an optimal Young’s modulus of 240.75 MPa. Furthermore, the graft showcased excellent biocompatibility, evidenced by non-hemolytic reactions, suitable wettability and favorable platelet aggregation—essential features for promoting cell adhesion and proliferation. An MTT assay revealed cell viability exceeding 80% after 48 h of exposure, highlighting the potential of the graft as a regenerative scaffold for affected ligaments. Computational modeling of the human foot across various AAFD stages assessed the graft’s in situ performance, with the PCL-GT-OG 2.0% graft efficiently preventing plantar arch collapse and offering hindfoot pronator support. Our study, based on in silico simulations, suggests that this bioengineered graft holds significant promise as an alternative treatment in AAFD surgery, marking a leap forward in the integration of advanced materials science for enhanced patient care.

Keywords

• electrospun graft
• graphene oxide
• polycaprolactone
• gelatin
• spring ligament
• finite element analysis