Cartiva - Has anyone had it?

Hi Patricia, you and I had surgery almost the same day.  Mine was Feb 27th.  I'm 57.  I'm sorry that you are still needing pain meds.  When was your last surgeon follow up?  I only got into a very old sneaker last week, and even then I needed to cut it around the arch to toe so I could get into it.  This is my second Cheilectomy.  The first one was about 4 years ago (no Caritiva it wasnt an option then).  I think the prior surgery was a faster recovery.  Like you I also have inflammation- more than I expect after more than one month.  So I am icing at least twice a day and putting the ace bandage on sometimes which will help with swelling.  Another thing I have and am curious if others have, is hyper sensitive skin about an inch to the side of the incision on my right foot (like the round area where one would have a bunion)  This hypersensitivity is uncomfortable for sure and very very slow to dissapate.

The incisionis definitely numb... I know that it's normal and will take time to get better.. I have to massage & I also bend the toe first thing in the morning and through out the day... Time is the key to healing... I am keeping a positive attitude!

I had bilateral Cartiva surgery, spurs removed, arthritis cleaned out on 1/2/18.  I saw my doctors P.A. yesterday (3rd post op visit and 2nd set of x-rays).  Everything looks good and is healed and I am allowed to resume Zumba.  They also broke both of my big toes to straighten them and put pins in them.

It's way too soon for you to feel comfortable working on your feet.   If I overdo it, my feet swell up and I walk like I'm 90.  I bought a pair of sneakers that were one size larger and WIDE rather than normal width to get me through the months following surgery.  I would suggest you get them.  They really help when I have to be on my feel.  I bought Easy Spirit sneakers.  Also, invest in a couple pair of compression stockings...I bought knee high and made sure there was a full foot in them (not stirrup style) to support my feet.  I  bought the Jobes brand.  They helped tremendously when I returned to work at 2 1/2 weeks (but I have an office job).  Another tip is to buy dancer pads.  I bought these from Amazon:  PediFix Pedi-gel Dancer's Pads, 2-Count.  They are reusable.  You rinse them out.  They stick to the bottom of your bare foot.

The PA told me yesterday that it takes about 6-12 months for the swelling to go down.  Hang in there.   It's a long recover but hopefully will be well worth it in the end.

Wow - my surgery was the same day! I've seen the surgeon 3x since and my swelling is still really bad, despite icing. She took an xray and all is fine internally. So, I begin PT tomorrow - 3x a week for 4 weeks. I cannot get any kind of shoe on. I am still in the small walking boot and wearing compression calf-high sock for 6-9 months, but it doesn't go over my toes, just stirrup style. My skin is not sensitive; I use tea tree lotion every night and a magnesium spray to help the scar, which is almost invisible, but the pain is still there. I know I have overdone it on some days, being on my feet way too much. I am disappointed because she said recovery was very quick. It's been 5 weeks and I don't think that is quick, but maybe I am just being impatient. My PT person knows me well, and is excellent, so I hold out hope that he will work some kind of miracle. One thing I did do was buy Vionic shoes - 2 pairs because they are for people w/high arches. But, I cannot get in them yet.

Hi lorjie, I am in the same boat as you... I am a hairstylist & this does not help me with my recovery.. everyone is going to have a different experience .. but I to have quite a lot of swelling & pain... I am still in the boot and don't see me getting out of it for several more weeks.. I can put on Crocks at home but I still have to elevate every chance I get... I also put an ice pack inside the boot at work .. I don't know what to tell you other than I can completely understand!

Are you on your feet a lot?  I'm sorry you have so much swelling. I have been surprised how much swelling I've also had

Hi Debbie.. I appreciate your advice and I am really thankful for this message board & to be able to converse with others who are going through this recovery as well... thank you

I am not on my feet that much, except when I am running errands. Went to PT for the first time today and he told me to lay on my back with my legs against the wall a few times a day - at a 90 degree angle -  straight up in the air - said it does wonders for the swelling. He also said to ice 15 minutes 3x a day and do stretching, etc. He was fairly shocked at my level of pain and swelling and the fact that I still have the bump. He also recommended a full compression sock that covers my foot, not the stirrups. I am not very encouraged at all. Another piece of advice - when I am sitting, always elevate my foot on a chair; in other words, don't let gravity pull everything down to my foot. He said healing will be much faster. So, I'll follow his instructions. How did you feel today? So weird we had surgery on the same day - would like to stay in touch regarding our recovery so we can compare. Try the tea tree lotion for the sensitivity - really helps a lot. Are you in California? I am - chat soon!

I am 5 weeks out and am so surprised at how much swelling there still is.  Plus both feet feel achy all the time and standing around is so uncomfortable.  

Hi again,

The compression socks are for swelling right?  Thats a good idea.  I have been icing at least once a day and try to elevate.  I also have been doing a foot soak most days, doesn't probably do anything other than make me feel better.  Its so weird how much my feet (both) ache.  Standing around is brutal. I'm hoping to avoid PT.  When I had the first Cheilectomy (no cartiva) on the other foot I didnt need it, but this recovery is different than the other one.

Hello all.. I had the cartiva implant surgery, bone  spurs removed and arthritis cleaned out on my left foot on April 9, 2018, so I am 15 days post op.   The surgery went well and I was sent home wearing a platform shoe.  I only took pain meds @ 2 days post op and used ice on it and  kept my foot elevated as much as possible. I  have been using a steerable knee scooter to get around the house.  They allowed me to bear weight on my heel only @5-6 days post op. I had my stitches removed today and they covered  the area w/ steri-strips.  I was instructed to continue wearing the platform boot/sandal until I see the surgeon at the next office visit 4 weeks from now. I am a nurse and work in the office setting and he said I could return to work when I feel uo to it. He also said I can gradually  resume driving. 

I noticed that a lot of the people on this forum say they were instructed to exercise their toe and work with physical therapy right after surgery. I did have one visit w/ physical therapy before the surgery who gave me a list of foot exercises to do post op but had been instructed by the surgeon's staff NOT to wiggle  my toes or move my big toe where the cartiva implant was placed until today.  

When attempting to move my big toe it is very stiff and I am very limited on my ROM. I can hardly move my big toe at all. I will start doing the foot exercises hoping that will help things. I realize I am still early in the recovery process. 

Hello, your entries are very helpful to me. I am in need of a good physical therapist and live in LA. Could you tell me the name of your Physical therapist?