Big Toe Joint Pain: Cartiva Implant Failure
What are the signs, causes, and options for revision surgery?
The Cartiva implant holds the potential to restore your mobility and say goodbye to the pain of big toe joint arthritis and damaged cartilage. But what happens when this technology doesn't work as intended? Understanding the telltale signs of Cartiva implant failure, the underlying causes, and your options for revision surgery are crucial.
Get A 100% Free CASE EvaluationSigns of Cartiva Implant Failure
The most obvious sign of Cartiva toe implant failure is persistent or recurrent pain in the big toe joint. This toe pain may be worse than before the implant surgery to replace damaged cartilage or may interfere with your daily activities and quality of life. You may also notice swelling, stiffness, reduced range of motion, clicking, grinding, or popping sensations in the joint. These symptoms may indicate that the implant is loose, broken, infected, or causing damage to the surrounding bone or soft tissue.
Another sign of implant failure is poor alignment or deformity of the big toe. This may result from improper placement of the synthetic cartilage implant, implant wear, or implant migration. You may notice that your big toe is deviated, rotated, or elevated compared to the other toes. This can affect your balance, gait, and footwear choices. It can also cause pressure, friction, or ulceration on the skin over the implant.
Causes of Cartiva Implant Failure
There are several possible causes of Cartiva Big Toe Joint implant failure, some of which are related to the implant itself, and some may be related to the patient or the surgeon. Some of the common causes of failures after Cartiva implant surgery are:
- Implant wear: The Cartiva implant is made of a hydrogel material that is supposed to mimic the natural cartilage of the MTP joint. However, over time, the implant may wear out or degrade due to friction, stress, or inflammation. This can lead to implant failure, fragmentation, loosening, or displacement.
- Implant infection: The Cartiva implant is a foreign body that can potentially introduce bacteria into the joint. This can cause an infection that can spread to the bone or the bloodstream. Infection can also cause inflammation, pain, swelling, redness, or drainage in the joint.
- Implant size or shape mismatch: The Cartiva implant comes in different sizes and shapes to fit different patients. However, if the implant is too big, too small, or not shaped correctly for the patient’s anatomy, it can cause problems such as implant instability, impingement, or malalignment.
- Implant malposition: The Cartiva implant has to be inserted precisely into the joint space to ensure optimal function and durability. However, if the implant is placed too deep, too shallow, too medial, or too lateral, it can cause complications such as implant subsidence, migration, or erosion.
- Patient factors: The Cartiva implant is not suitable for every patient with big toe joint arthritis. Some factors that can increase the risk of implant failure may include severe arthritis, bone loss, joint instability, obesity, diabetes, smoking, infection, or poor compliance with postoperative instructions.
Options for Revision Surgery
If you have a failed Cartiva implant, you may need revision surgery to remove or replace it. The type of revision surgery depends on several factors, such as the cause and extent of implant failure, the condition of the remaining bone and soft tissue, the patient’s age, activity level, and expectations, and the surgeon’s preference and expertise. Some of the common options for revision surgery are:
- Implant removal: This involves removing the Cartiva implant and leaving the joint as it is. This may be an option for patients who have minimal pain or disability, or who are not candidates for other revision procedures. However, this may not restore the joint function or prevent further deterioration of the joint.
- Implant exchange: This involves removing the Cartiva implant and replacing it with another Cartiva implant or a different type of implant. This may be an option for patients who have implant wear, infection, or size or shape mismatch, and who have enough bone and soft tissue to support a new implant. However, this may not address the underlying cause of implant failure or guarantee a better outcome. This may be an option for patients who have severe pain, deformity, or bone loss, and who do not need or want to preserve the joint motion. However, this may limit the patient’s footwear options, gait, and activities.
- Resection arthroplasty: This involves removing the Cartiva implant and some of the bone from the joint, creating a space between the bones. This may be an option for patients who have infection, implant erosion, or poor bone quality, and who are not candidates for fusion or implant exchange. However, this may result in a shortening or instability of the big toe.
Toe Fusion Surgery for Failed Big Toe Implant
When a Cartiva toe implant fails, patients may require big toe joint fusion surgery as a corrective measure. Toe fusion surgery aims to alleviate the pain and stiffness of arthritis and restore functionality by fusing the bones in the affected joint together. Big toe joint fusion surgery is often recommended when other treatments have proven unsuccessful, offering a more stable and long-lasting solution for individuals experiencing complications due to a failed Cartiva toe implant. Toe fusion surgery involves removing the damaged implant, addressing any underlying issues, and stabilizing the joint to promote healing and increased comfort for the patient.
Tips to Minimize the Risk of Implant Failure
While there is no guarantee that the Cartiva implant will last forever or work for everyone, there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk of implant failure. Some of these steps are:
- Choose a qualified foot and ankle surgeon who has extensive training and experience with Cartiva surgery and other big toe joint procedures. Ask your surgeon about their success rate, complication rate, and revision rate with the implant.
- Discuss with your surgeon the pros and cons of the Cartiva implant and other alternatives for your condition. Make sure you understand the expectations, risks, and benefits of each option.
- Follow your surgeon’s instructions before and after the implant surgery. This may include taking antibiotics, quitting smoking, losing weight, or doing physical therapy.
- Monitor your big toe joint for any signs of implant failure, such as pain, swelling, stiffness, or deformity. Report any changes or concerns to your surgeon as soon as possible.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle and take care of your feet. This may include wearing comfortable and supportive shoes, avoiding high-impact activities, or using orthotics or braces if needed.
Cartiva is a big toe joint implant that can offer relief and improvement for some patients with arthritis or hallux rigidus. However, it is not a perfect solution, and it may fail for various reasons. If you have a failed Cartiva implant, you may need revision surgery to remove or replace it sooner than may be expected. The type of revision surgery depends on several factors and requires careful evaluation and planning.
Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Lawsuit
If you have a Cartiva implant fail, you may feel frustrated and hopeless. You may have gotten the implant to help you move better and feel less pain, but instead you may have more problems than before. You may suffer from intense pain, stiffness in your toe, and trouble doing normal things like walking or working.
Suffering a Cartiva toe implant failure can affect you not only physically, but also emotionally and financially. You may need another surgery to fix or remove the implant, which can take a long time to heal and cost a lot of money. You may also lose income if you can’t work or do your usual activities.
Our firm is currently investigating claims being made against the makers of the Cartiva SCI implant including Wright Medical Group and Cartiva Inc. Some patients are filing defective medical device lawsuits alleging the device makers failed to warn healthcare providers and their patients about the risks of implant failure. Patients are seeking personal injury compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages by filing defective product and medical device lawsuits.
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 toe implants 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 significant financial compensation. Contact us now to learn more about your rights and whether you are entitled to seek compensation in a Cartiva toe implant lawsuit.