Cartiva Implant Problems: What You Need to Know

A guide to the benefits, risks, and alternatives of the Cartiva big toe joint implant.

Potential post-operative side effects of Cartiva big toe joint implant

The Cartiva big toe joint implant is a synthetic material that is inserted into the base of the great toe joint to reduce pain and improve mobility for people with damaged cartilage and hallux rigidus, a condition that causes stiffness and arthritis in the toe. The implant is designed to mimic the natural cushioning and shock absorption of the cartilage in the joint.

However, there are some potential side effects and complication risks that can occur after the Cartiva implant procedure. These include:

Infection: This can happen if bacteria enter the wound or the implant site. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, and increased pain. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection, or in some cases, the implant may need to be removed.
Implant loosening or displacement: This can happen if the implant does not fit well or moves out of place over time. This can cause pain, inflammation, reduced range of motion, and instability in the toe. A revision surgery may be needed to adjust or replace the implant.
Implant wear or fracture: This can happen if the implant wears out or breaks due to excessive stress or impact. This can also cause pain, inflammation, reduced range of motion, and instability in the toe. A revision surgery may be needed to replace the implant.
Joint stiffness or contracture: This can happen if the toe becomes stiff or locked in a bent position due to scar tissue, swelling, or reduced mobility. This can limit the function and flexibility of the toe and affect the gait and balance. Physical therapy, stretching exercises, and splints may help to improve joint motion and prevent contracture.
Nerve damage or numbness: This can happen if the nerves around the toe are injured or compressed during or after the surgery. This can cause tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the great toe or the foot. This may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity and location of the nerve damage.

It is important to be aware of the possible risks and to follow the post-operative instructions given by the surgeon and the physical therapist. These include keeping the wound clean and dry, taking the prescribed painkillers and antibiotics, wearing a special shoe or boot, elevating and icing the foot, avoiding weight-bearing and excessive movement, and doing the recommended exercises to restore the strength and mobility of the toe.

What is the failure rate of the Cartiva implant?

The failure rate of the Cartiva implant is the percentage of patients who experience a poor outcome or a complication that requires revision surgery. The failure rate of Cartiva synthetic cartilage implants is still being determined. While some studies have shown low failure rates, other studies have shown surprisingly high failure rates. While the rates are still being determined, the most common reasons for revision were implant loosening, implant wear, and infection.

The failure rate of the Cartiva implant may be comparable to or lower than the failure rate of other surgical options for hallux rigidus, such as cheilectomy, osteotomy, or fusion. However, the failure rate may vary depending on the patient’s age, activity level, severity of the condition, and expectations. It is important to discuss the pros and cons of the Cartiva implant with the surgeon and to have realistic goals and a clear understanding of the potential outcomes.

What are the options for a failed Cartiva implant?

If the Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant fails, meaning that it causes more pain, inflammation, or disability than before the surgery, there are some options to address the problem. The most common option is revision surgery, which involves removing the implant and replacing it with another one or with a different type of implant or device. For example, some patients may opt for joint fusion, which is a procedure that permanently joins the bones of the joint together, eliminating the pain but also the motion of the toe.

The choice of the revision surgery depends on the cause of the failure, the condition of the joint, the patient’s preferences, and the surgeon’s expertise. Revision surgery is usually more complex and challenging than the primary surgery, and it may have a higher risk of complications and a longer recovery time.

What is the recovery time for the Cartiva big toe implant?

The recovery time for the Cartiva big toe implant varies from person to person, depending on the individual factors and the healing process. However, a general timeline of the recovery stages can be described as follows:

Week 1: The patient may experience some pain, swelling, bruising, and stiffness in the toe and the foot. The patient may need to wear a special shoe or boot and use crutches or a walker to avoid putting weight on the foot. The patient may need to keep the foot elevated and iced to reduce the inflammation and the bleeding. The patient may need to take painkillers and antibiotics to prevent infection and discomfort. The patient may need to change the dressing and keep the wound clean and dry.
Week 2-4: The patient may gradually resume some weight-bearing and movement of the toe and the foot, as instructed by the surgeon and the physical therapist. The patient may start doing some gentle exercises to improve the blood circulation and the range of motion of the toe. The patient may still need to wear the special shoe or boot and use crutches or a walker for support. The patient may still experience some pain, swelling, and stiffness, but these should improve over time.
Week 4-6: The patient may be able to transition to a normal shoe and walk without crutches or a walker, depending on the progress and the pain level. The patient may continue doing the exercises and the physical therapy to restore the strength and the flexibility of the toe and the foot. The patient may be able to resume some daily activities and low-impact exercises, such as walking, cycling, or swimming, as tolerated and recommended by the surgeon and the physical therapist.
Week 6-12: The patient may be able to return to work and most normal activities if they do not involve high-impact or strenuous exercises, such as running, jumping, or sports. The patient may still need to avoid excessive bending, twisting, or loading of the toe and the foot. The patient may still have some residual pain, swelling, and stiffness, but these should gradually subside and improve. The patient may have a follow-up visit with the surgeon to check the healing and the function of the implant.
Week 12 and beyond: The patient may be able to enjoy the full benefits of the Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant, which include reduced pain, increased mobility, and improved quality of life. The patient may be able to participate in most activities and exercises, as long as they are comfortable and appropriate for the condition of the toe and the foot. The patient may need to maintain a healthy weight, a balanced diet, and a regular exercise routine to protect the implant and the joint from further damage or wear.

The recovery time for the Cartiva big toe implant may vary depending on the individual factors and the healing process. Many patients can expect to see significant improvement and satisfaction within three to six months after the surgery. However, some patients have experienced toe implant problems and have filed Cartiva implant lawsuits against the makers of the synthetic cartilage implant including Cartiva Inc and Wright Medical Group.

What are the problems after hallux rigidus surgery?

Hallux rigidus is a condition that causes stiffness and big toe pain in the joint. Surgery is one of the treatment options for hallux rigidus, especially when conservative measures, such as medication, orthotics, or injections, fail to provide adequate relief. There are different types of surgery for hallux rigidus, such as cheilectomy, Cartiva implant, hemiarthroplasty, or toe fusion surgery. Each type of surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the choice of the surgery depends on the severity of the condition, the patient’s expectations, and the surgeon’s preference.

As with any surgery, there are some potential problems and complications that can occur after Cartiva implant surgery. These include:

Infection: This can happen if bacteria enter the wound or the joint. Signs of infection include redness, swelling, warmth, pus, fever, and increased pain. Antibiotics may be prescribed to treat the infection, or in some cases, the implant or the hardware may need to be removed.
Bleeding or hematoma: This can happen if there is excessive bleeding during or after the surgery. This can cause swelling, bruising, and pain in the great toe and the foot. The blood may need to be drained or removed surgically.
Nerve damage or numbness: This can happen if the nerves around the toe are injured or compressed during or after the surgery. This can cause tingling, numbness, or burning sensations in the toe or the foot. This may be temporary or permanent, depending on the severity and location of the nerve damage.
Delayed or non-union: This can happen if the bones do not heal or fuse properly after the surgery. This can cause pain, instability, and deformity in the toe and the foot. A revision surgery may be needed to fix the problem.
Malunion or malalignment: This can happen if the bones heal or fuse in a wrong position or angle after the surgery. This can cause pain, instability, and deformity in the toe and the foot. A revision surgery may be needed to correct the problem.
Implant failure or wear: This can happen if the implant that is used to replace or cushion the joint fails, wears out, or causes problems. This can cause pain, inflammation, and reduced range of motion in the toe and the foot. A revision surgery may be needed to remove or replace the implant.
Joint stiffness or contracture: This can happen if the toe becomes stiff or locked in a bent position due to scar tissue, swelling, or reduced mobility. This can limit the function and flexibility of the toe and affect the gait and balance. Physical therapy, stretching exercises, and splints may help to improve joint motion and prevent contracture.
Recurrence or progression of the condition: This can happen if the hallux rigidus returns or worsens after the surgery. This can cause pain, stiffness, and arthritis in the toe and the foot. A revision surgery or a different type of surgery may be needed to address the problem.

While some people who undergo hallux rigidus surgery have a successful outcome and a high satisfaction rate, it is important to be aware of the possible risks.

What to do when your Cartiva implant fails?

If your Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant fails, meaning that it causes more severe pain, inflammation, or disability than before the surgery, you should contact your surgeon and seek medical advice. Your surgeon will examine your toe and your foot, and may order some tests, such as x-rays, MRI, or CT scan, to determine the cause and the extent of the failure. Depending on the findings, your surgeon will discuss with you the possible options to address the problem.

The most common option for a Cartiva failure is revision surgery, which involves removing the implant and replacing it with another one or with a different type of implant or device. For example, some patients may opt joint fusion, which is a procedure that permanently joins the bones of the joint together, eliminating the pain but also the motion of the toe.

Another option for a failed Cartiva implant is to manage the symptoms with conservative measures, such as medication, orthotics, injections, or physical therapy. These may help to reduce severe pain, inflammation, and stiffness, and to improve the function and mobility of the toe. But these measures may not be sufficient or effective in the long term, and they may not address the underlying cause of the failure.

If You Had to Have Revision Surgery After Receiving a Cartiva Toe Implant, We Can Help.

If you have suffered from complications after receiving a Cartiva Toe Implant, contact us now. We are fighting to protect the rights of patients allegedly injured by Cartiva implant failure and hold the device makers fully accountable for putting profits above the health and well-being of patients.

Patients who received a Cartiva toe implant and were forced to have revision surgery to remove or replace the device, may be entitled to file a Cartiva implant lawsuit seeking significant financial compensation. Contact us now to learn more about your rights and whether you are entitled to compensation.

1 (972) 784-8889