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Cartiva - Has anyone had it?

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krista4435
krista4435

I'm looking looking at looking at getting looking at getting this. Anyone with experience here?

4 likes, 836 replies

836 Replies

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  • JenInCali
    JenInCali krista4435

    Posted

    IDK if any one is still reading this thread. I have severe arthritis in my left MTP joint that is exacerbated by a terrible injury I had years ago called turf toe. I had my bilateral chilectomy  in October of 2015. When the pain returned I went to a foot & ankle dr who has great reviews. I had the Cartiva implant put in exactly two months ago. It’s been a tough road. He had me in a boot for about 5 weeks because it was such a mess when he got in there and he said he didn’t have the ideal amount of bone left for the implant. Early recovery was great, very little pain, and I was able to get around really well with the aircast. 

    Unfortunately soon after the surgery I developed sesamoiditis which is inflammation of the bones under the big toe. At my last post-op visit I complained I was still in pain. The X-ray he took showed that the implant is failing. It has compressed to the point that I’m just about bone on bone again. Whenever I move my toe it feels like something is popping in there. Dr says the only option now is fusion. He doesn’t really think another implant is realistic. I’m really bummed. I also had to get a steroid injection in the sesamoid bones because they’re quite painful too.  What’s more, now my other toe is starting to act up!! I just want to go for a hike 😔

    • krista4435
      krista4435 JenInCali

      Posted

      Hi Jenln,

      I'm really sorry to hear this. I had a similar route...I had a cheilectomy in Dec 2015...right foot only. Darn thing messed me up too. ..they took a lot of the mtp joint head away and left a jagged mess....lots of pain.

      I was lucky to get a surgeon who recognized this and suggested a more complex procedure but at 34 weeks now it has been quite sucessful. He shortened the top of the metatarsal and joined it with screws to the cuneiform. ...not a lot of movement there anyway. Took the bone that was cut and attached it to the side of the mtp head to support the cartiva. I had had a lot of sesemoid pain for quite a while too but it has finally subsided after many months.

      I don't know where you are or who you saw but 2 or 3 more opinions would be what I would do. Do your research about your surgeons and their recommendations. I wish you the best and hope you can get this fixed.

      I was very much against fusion too but I know a couple people who have had it and they still hike....not sure that helps.

  • TraceyCt
    TraceyCt krista4435

    Posted

    Hi Everyone,

    I finally had surgery, Cartiva implant in my right big toe on December 6th so I'm a little more than a week out. So far it hasn't been bad I had a block so pain wasn't bad first few days I kept up pain meds also. I stopped pain meds on day 3 and just took Tylenol which was fine. I have a cute shoe that allows me to walk on my heel. The main thing I have been doing is keeping it elevated to decrease swelling. I currently can wiggle my toe. I go back to have stitches out next week on the 21st. I'm really looking forward to that and seeing how the movement is. I will keep you all posted but so far I'm glad I did it. and I'm hoping for good results. 

    • barbara25389
      barbara25389 TraceyCt

      Posted

      I am interested in your post since I had the Cartiva implant on December 5th.  I am interested in comparing experiences. I too had a nerve block but it started wearing off the next day. I had a little pain the next few days but it was controlled with elevation and ice. I did take an opiod for a couple of nights. I also had bunion correction and some bone spurs removed so that maybe why the pain. After that I took gabapentin for mild to moderate burning and occasional throbbing at night. I am now post of day 12 and my second post op appointment is in a few days. I am still required to wear the velcro post op shoe by the surgeon. I had this done by a DPM in the Duke Univ. system. I have been not to do range of motion for a monh.

           I am really hoping this procedure helps restore my agility and balance since I like to hike. I'll keep posting if anyone is interested.

    • nancy0814
      nancy0814 TraceyCt

      Posted

      I had that funny heel walking shoe too!  I was able to drive again the first day of week 3.  There are about 250 people talking on facebook if you want to join the group. A lot of people who just had the surgery too. Its called cartiva implant patients and you have to ask to join but they will let you right in.
    • nancy0814
      nancy0814 barbara25389

      Posted

      There are 250 of us on facebook under cartiva implant patients if you want to join us. there are many who had the surgery the same day as you if you want to compare notes and see pictures. you have to ask to join but they will let you in rather quickly.
    • Terry_Maddux
      Terry_Maddux TraceyCt

      Posted

      I am a little over 4 weeks post op........I am still in a boot per Dr's orders, but have my next appt. on the 21st and hoping to transition into a tennis shoe at that time.  I myself am a little discouraged at my progress....i still have a lot of stiffness in my toe and along with the stiffness, some pain when trying to bend my toe.  I had bone spurs removed as well as arthritis on my toe joint basically chiseled/hammered off, so the pain and stiffness maybe should be expected.  I may just be a little impatient.  I still have some swelling and I try to ice it each night when I get home from work and do a little PT on my own to hopefully work out some of that stiffness.  I will have to have the same thing done on my other foot some time next year.  I do NOT, however, have the same kind of pain now that I did before.....wearing shoes was excruciating (unless they were sandals or flip flops) and I wore a tennis shoe yesterday (yes, without Dr's permission) and it actually felt really good!!  But back to my boot today...........

      I am realizing by reading some of these posts that this is a lot longer recovery than I ever expected.

      You will feel so wonderful after they take those stitches out!!!  A real shower feels so good!!  I would advice you to keep the foot elevated above your heart as often and as long as you can - keeping ice on it too!!

      Also, use vitamin E oil on your scar as that will help soften it up!!  Good luck as you heal and I will be anxious to hear how things are going!!

    • TraceyCt
      TraceyCt Terry_Maddux

      Posted

      Terry,

      I had my post op appt yesterday I had surgery on 12/6 so I'm just 2 weeks and 2 days out. I had the Cartiva implant and a bunionectomy. I was in velcro shoe only heel walking until yesterday. I had my stitches out and the doctor told me I can walk on it and do whatever I want. My foot is still swollen and I can't get my normal shoe on it. Its a little stiff and sore when I move it but I can move it and I hope that will only improve. He did order therapy for me I start next week. So far I'm happy I had it done and look forward to being able to walk with out pain. I expect the swelling to last on and off for a few months. 

      Good luck to you

    • Terry_Maddux
      Terry_Maddux TraceyCt

      Posted

      How very interesting how different everyone's recovery is?!  I had another follow up yesterday and was sent away on the boot STILL!  The xrays look good, the swelling and pain are getting better, but still very stiff and somewhat sore.  I don't go back for another 4 weeks.  Uggh.  The Dr. did say that I could try a tennis shoe (but nothing else) in about 3 weeks.  I didn't tell him I already did that once and it really felt pretty good (it was only for an hour or two).  But still no exercise other than daily activity..........he told me that foot surgery usually takes about 9 months to a year! and also reminded me that I was only 5 weeks out from having my surgery.  I will probably not get a lot of ROM back but the pain should be eliminated - so I can live with that.  Got some stretches to do at home to help with scar tissue developing.  

      I guess patience is what I will need to work on!  Glad to hear that your recovery is going well!

    • TraceyCt
      TraceyCt barbara25389

      Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      I was wondering how you are doing? I'm doing pretty well I only went to a few PT sessions and have been doing exercises at home. Last week I was feeling a little discouraged with the soreness when walking but it is getting better each day. I think the important thing is working the toe joint. I'm looking to hear how your progress is. 

      Thanks 

  • ben82
    ben82 krista4435

    Posted

    I had surgery with a Cartiva implant installed 9/18/2017. Worst mistake ever. Since then I have been plagued with pain and a loss of mobility in the joint. I have been unable to move my toe and cannot even put on a shoes except very low top shoes. No boots, no normal tennis shoes. I cannot work at my job due to the problems with putting on steel toe boots to go to work.
    • TraceyCt
      TraceyCt ben82

      Posted

      Ben,

      Did you just have cartiva or something else? I had Cartvia and bunionectomy on 12/6 had stitches out yesterday and I can already move my toe. its still swollen and a little sore when I move it but I expected that. did you go to Physical Therapy? I start that next week. 

      its interesting to read on here the different experiences. 

      Tracey

    • jennifer03813
      jennifer03813 TraceyCt

      Posted

      I had mine Nov 29th I am still swallen a little ....my doctor cleared me to go back to the gym as of this Tuesday I am very active in the gym but now you have thinking if I should ask about physical therapy
  • jennifer03813
    jennifer03813 krista4435

    Posted

    Krista I had the surgery 3 weeks ago and just got clearance to go back to the gym to do light weights a day after surgery I had no pain and for the first time in 3 yrs I can walk mostly normal. I am big time happy with this
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