Cartiva Big Toe Implants and Allergic Reactions

Foreign Body Reactions to Big Toe Implants

The Cartiva toe implant is a synthetic cartilage device made of polyvinyl alcohol and saline that is used to treat big toe arthritis by replacing the damaged cartilage in the joint. Some patients may be allergic to the implant material or develop an immune response that rejects the implant.

The allergic response can cause further complications such as pain, swelling, inflammation, infection, or tissue reaction. Other complications can include subsidence (when the implant sinks into the bone), fragmentation (when the implant breaks up or moves), osteolysis (destruction of bone tissue), or cysts. These complications may require revision surgery or implant removal to resolve.

According to the patient information brochure provided by Cartiva, patients should not receive the implant if they have a history of allergy to polyvinyl alcohol. However, some patients may not be aware of their allergy or develop it after the implantation. Therefore, it is important to monitor the symptoms and consult a doctor if any signs of foreign body reaction occur.

An allergic reaction to Cartiva may require additional surgery to remove the implant and replace it with another option, such as fusion surgery.

Sources:

– Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant Patient Information Brochure. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf15/P150017C.pdf

– Cartiva implant surgery – West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust. https://www.wsh.nhs.uk/CMS-Documents/Patient-leaflets/TraumaandOrthopaedics/6262-1-Cartiva-implant-surgery.pdf

– Cartiva Replacement – Manchester Foot & Ankle Clinic. https://www.manchesterfootandankleclinic.com/cartiva-replacement.html