title: Topical Review: Use of Fetal Tissue in Foot and Ankle Surgery.
abstract: Fetal tissues are well known for their therapeutic potential. They contain numerous growth factors, cytokines, and matrix components that promote regeneration of tissues while downregulating inflammation and scar formation. As a result, use of these treatments has expanded over the previous 20 years throughout various surgical specialties, including orthopaedics. With improved methods of sterilization, processing, and storage, surgeons need to be informed about the potential benefits of fetal tissue in foot and ankle surgery. The aim of this review is to provide a brief historical background, basic anatomy and physiology, and a current review of the literature in regard to chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcerations, plantar fasciitis, tendon repair, adhesion prevention, nerve repair, and bone healing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level V: Expert Opinion.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (AEH, TAJL, RDS) ahansel1@hsc.wvu.edu.
authors: Andrew E
authors: AE
authors: Hanselman
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (AEH, TAJL, RDS).
authors: Trapper A J
authors: TA
authors: Lalli
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia (AEH, TAJL, RDS).
authors: Robert D
authors: RD
authors: Santrock
mesh_terms: D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000601:surgery*; D016332:Fetal Tissue Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
keywords: amniotic membrane; chorionic membrane; fetal tissue; placenta; umbilical cord