Ultrasound-guided injections of amniotic membrane/umbilical cord particulate for painful neuropathy of the lower extremity

Abstract

Abstract Treatment of peripheral neuropathy remains a challenge. It has been shown clinically that cryopreserved human amniotic membrane (AM) and umbilical cord (UC) reduce pain, and they may serve as a beneficial treatment option for peripheral neuropathy. Here, we report findings from a single-center, retrospective review of peripheral neuropathy patients treated with AM/UC particulate. Seventeen patients with recalcitrant diabetic (n = 8), idiopathic (n = 7), or chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (n = 2) were included in the study. At presentation, all 17 patients complained of pain, along with numbness (n = 10), paresthesia (n = 8), poor balance (n = 9), poor range of motion (n = 5), or weakness (n = 7). After an average of 2.7 injections of AM/UC particulate per extremity, symptoms improved by 30.0 ± 24.5% at 1 week, 46.6 ± 29.9% at 1 month (P < .005), 70.7 ± 14.3% at 2 months (P < .001), 72.3 ± 16.9% at 3 months (P < .001), and 61.0 ± 34.4% at 5–6 months (P < .01). No complications or adverse events related to AM/UC injection were observed. These results suggest local perineural injection of AM/UC particulate may reduce pain and alleviate symptoms in patients suffering from painful peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.