Cartiva - Has anyone had it?

hi, I had it at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth.

Just had procedure performed on 11/21 by Dr. Jeffrey Katz , Vineland, NJ.  One week later I have movement in my joint first time in 30 years with minimal discomfort . I returned to work 11/27. Had both fusion on left big toe and Captiva on right big toe. Captiva procedure feels like a vacation. Would highly recommend.

First of all, thank you to all of the contributors to this thread - the information that I was able to get from this thread has been invaluable.  I had surgery to  insert the Cartiva implant on my right big toe on 15 November after living with hallux rigidus for at least seven years.  Previously had failed cheilectomy.  I was at my wits end with the constant pain and decided to have the procedure done.  I absolutely did not want to have a toe fusion because of the limitations that this procedure entails.  A caution to those of you who want to have the surgery:  You cannot have a recent cortisone injection.  I had to wait three months to have my surgery as I had a cortisone injection to relieve pain in my toe just before deciding to have the surgery.

Went to the hospital at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the surgery and left at 12:30 p.m.  Surgery was performed with local block, and I did not feel anything for the first 24 hours.  After 24 hours I had general pain in my foot and took the prescribed narcotic -  it made me nauseous so I did not take it again.  Over the next few days I had a bit of pain, but it was manageable and I decided not to take any pain relievers.  During the first two weeks, I kept my foot elevated, even in bed, and iced it as much as possible.  As with others, I was given a non-load-bearing shoe, which I wore whenever I had to walk.  Thanks to a post on this thread, I had purchased a Waterproof Cast Cover and I was able to shower without getting the dressing wet.  The original dressing from the surgery got loose so I had to get my foot re-wrapped with a new one about a week after surgery. 

First post-op appointment was two weeks after the surgery, and the surgeon removed the stitches.  He also prescribed a new load bearing open shoe, and a Hallux Control Strap.  The strap is to be worn at all times, except when showering (including when sleeping and ambulating with the load-bearing open shoe).  He also asked that I perform toe flexion and extension exercises three times per day. In regards to pain, I am not totally pain free and I feel a sharp pain on the side of my toe from time to time.  As it relates to range of motion (ROM), I have better ROM than before surgery when I am exercising my toes with my fingers; however, when trying to move my toe without assistance (e.g.using my muscles), I have just about the same ROM as before surgery.  I hope that over time I will develop more ROM using my toe/foot muscles.  Obviously, i also hope that the pain will go away. I have not been able to return to work as my employer does not allow open toe shoes at work.

All-in-all, I will say that I have less pain today than before the surgery, but I am not pain free.  

I do have a question for those of you who have done more research regarding Cartiva than I have:  Were you able to determine how long the device is supposed to last?  

  

I had the surgery on November 15, 2017, on my left big toe.  Two weeks in a none weight bearing cast, propped on a pillow, no ice, for two weeks, cast removed, stitches taken out and a boot put on.  Heel walking and showering week three, still no pain, walking without the boot on my heel, go back for second post op on December 11th, but all has been moving along quickly.  I ordered a post op shoe.  I am thrilled with this operation so far, five years ago I had a chilectomy in both feet and a moberg in the right foot (remove bone and put in a screw) neither one of which worked and they included a lot of pain.  So I have a comparison.  My new surgical foot hurts less than my old one.  The equipment you will need is a rollator, basically a walker on wheel with a seat and basket, and a shower chair.  I've added some pictures, hope it helps.

I had cartiva surgery in Nov.  my recovery has been slower then I expected.  My expectation was 2 weeks I would be walking but after now almost 1 month out I’m finally walking with a shoe on.  Toe is still stiff and I’m doing PT but I’m sure innthe long run this was best.

Hi all. Thanks for the link to the Facebook group. I have asked to join. Definitely looking into the waterproof cast. My surgery is in a few weeks and starting to get nervous. This is my first ever surgery...

​1) if only local aesthesia, can I wear headphones so that I do not have to hear the shaving of the bone spurs?

​2) From what I have read, if I can stay off my feet for the first 7 days I can resume weight bearing activities in a boot after that?

​3) When can I return to exercise? I am very active and think this will be the hardest part of this whole process. Is going on a 30 min walk 1 month post surgery a realistic expectation?

​4) Crutches or no crutches?