Cartiva - Has anyone had it?
Posted , 157 users are following.
I'm looking looking at looking at getting looking at getting this. Anyone with experience here?
4 likes, 836 replies
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Notes on Cartiva - Has anyone had it?
candice15126 krista4435
Posted
Well unfortunately my story isn't quite the same as many I am reading about. My Cativa surgery was 12-7-18 and I'm now 3 1/2 months post op, and my doctor told me yesterday that more than likely she will have to REMOVE the implant and preform a fusion. NOOOOO!!!! Keep in mind I'm 47 year old, very healthy and (WAS) active. So, everyone needs to keep in mind this surgery can fail, yes it's a low percentage, but it happens. I didn't know this, and jumped on the chance to be pain free and start running again. Thinking back I wish I would have done more research and possibly waited another year since it's relatively still new in the US.
Yesterday I saw my doctor because the pain had gotten worse rather than better over the passed month. X-rays showed my joint space had greatly diminished, since my last x-ray only a month ago. Of chores, I was SHOCKED and soooooo disappointed. Keep in mind, I haven't even been exercising, walking or anything because I wanted to make sure I healed properly....nor I have returned back to work (Designer).
When I asked how this could have happened, she stated " the arthritis could have been to far along, or some peoples body's reject the implant-thinking it's a foreign object". Regardless, she wrote me a script for steroids in hopes of clearing up the inflammation. I'm schedules back in 6 wks to see where I am. Also, to purchase a stiff bottom shoe as I wear Nike Free, which easily bends.
Hoping to shield a little lite on my the other side to this "new" procedure. And will update everyone with any changes.
Columbus, OH
NancyMN candice15126
Posted
Very, very scary! Thank you so much for sharing and warning. Please keep us posted and we'll keep praying for you!
Nancy
susie40358 candice15126
Posted
I'm so sorry you are going through this! My surgeon told me that every prior implant (other than Cartiva) he has removed from this prior patients due to rejection. Cartiva, he informed me, would not be rejected by the body and thats what makes it so successful. I'm surprised your surgeon couldn't visually see the level of deterioration prior to surgery to make a decision. The implants have been around for 15 years in Canada and Europe, but my surgeon who is head of podiatry at Beth Isreael Boston said he had only done 3 prior to me. Still I wonder if you might not want a second opinion. Very sorry to hear you are suffering
mk48086 candice15126
Posted
Thanks,
Matt
ashley25904 candice15126
Posted
It’s been 5 days since the implant was removed and replaced by a different implant. I already feel better.
Gerry1234 ashley25904
Posted
patricia32684 ashley25904
Posted
debra55847 ashley25904
Posted
Gerry1234 debra55847
Posted
patricia32684 Gerry1234
Posted
NancyMN patricia32684
Posted
patricia32684 NancyMN
Posted
Gerry1234 ashley25904
Posted
didvyou have the hemicap implant? that has been around for 10 years
DickN krista4435
Posted
I'm about six weeks from having had both toes getting the Cartiva implant. This is the first time I've seen this forum and was surprised to see how some people have experienced recovery. My Podiatrist had done about 15 operations by the time she did mine. I did not have previous surgery's, I did not have my bones broken to straighten out the toes, but I did have really bad spurs. BTW-I'm 63.
I left the surgery center with platform shoes and was able to walk pretty easily as soon as I got home. I was constantly icing with feet elevated for several days and felt absolutely no pain at all. I think she filled the incision with a pain killer but maybe she did a nerve block. I never felt pain until I went to Physical Therapy which was 13 days after surgery.
My first follow-up appointment was two days after surgery. My wife drove me there but the Dr. cleared me to drive that day so I drove us to a restaurant for lunch. I was also cleared to go back to work, but since that was a Thursday I decided to not go back until the following Monday. (Note that I was not on pain killers).
11 days after surgery I got the stitches out and was able to wear tennis shoes. Fortunately all my shoes were made by Brooks with oversize 4E widths. 13 days after surgery I started PT and that was the first time I felt pain, though pretty mild compared to surgical pain. PT last for 4 weeks and now being six weeks out there's still pain, but it seems to be mostly from doing all the exercises.
At four weeks out, and with the Dr's. permission, I started playing tennis, though with limited running and no jumping.
I'm now six weeks out. There's still pain, especially if I've been exercising or walking a lot but it seems to get a little better every day. I have full flexibility but still need to concentrate on walking to make sure my gait is correct. (After years of rolling on the outer edge of my foot walking normal was a challenge).
I was a good candidate for this surgery and I had a good Dr.. I would highly recommend this to anyone, especially athletes.
susie40358 DickN
Posted
Your story is unlike any others I've read. How did you not have pain or swelling post surgery?
Amazing!
patricia32684 susie40358
Posted
Hi Susie, I probably didn't get all my info in my comment. I really didn't have any swelling & pain was tolerable with small doses of pain meds and anti inflammatory meds...as I said I am a hairstylist & this is going to make it a little bit longer of a recovery for me. I try to elevate & ice when I can... realistically I need to give it a good 6 months.
palmetto24648 DickN
Posted
So glad to see someone having great results like me! I, too, have had a good outcome from an excellent surgeon and common sense after care. I'm four months out from my first implant, and spent hours on the dance floor at my son's wedding this weekend! Carrying my granddaughter, dancing, etc made my un-fixed foot hurt, but the implant foot had no problem whatsoever! Looking forward to the next surgery so that both feet will be back to normal!