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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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  • fusor2000
    fusor2000 krista4435

    Posted

    Had Cartiva just 2.5 weeks ago. Only iced and pain pill one day.   Pain 3-4 days, then soreness. I drove after 2 days and stairs immediately. I can now walk a mile and ride a bike. Range of motion is maybe 50% after 2 weeks and will improve. I am in sneakers without a limp. Doing all normal chores. No significant discomfort at rest. Mild with MTP extension. None with flexion. It will only get better in time, as it was an invasion surgery. 
  • will40237
    will40237 krista4435

    Posted

    Hi, had Cartiva in great toe joint 18 monthts ago. Not sure on the scales of degeneration you're using here but i was 4/4, bone on bone. Very little movement left and that has only improved slightly however I dont limp anymore and no pain. The alternative was fusion with 6 weeks in plaster. Couldn't be more positive about the outcome, walked 10 miles today and it's my back that hurts the most👍👍

  • PXM
    PXM krista4435

    Posted

    Had Cartiva implant inserted on November 15, 2017 (see earlier report) - so it has been over six months.  At first, I was very positive regarding the results, but as of the last few weeks I am experiencing pain and swelling, and people at work told me that I was limping.  The pain is certainly less than the pre-op pain, but it worries me.      
    • fusor2000
      fusor2000 PXM

      Posted

      What did your surgeon say about this new pain, as it is not normal?
    • PXM
      PXM fusor2000

      Posted

      I am not sure how unusual this is - there have been reports from others members of this group of swelling and experiencing pain.  I am, however, not scheduled to see my surgeon until August.  If the pain and swelling continues, I will try to see him earlier.
    • patricia32684
      patricia32684 PXM

      Posted

      Hi, PXM, I am 10 1/2 weeks out... lots of swelling when I am on my foot for to long... I am able to get compression socks on & that helps with it some... when I say to long on my foot I mean ... today I was at a family gathering for about 5 hours...& I need to elevate & ice after... my surgeon said that I need to give it 6 months at least...he told me that from day one. I can honestly say that it's hard for me to not be impatient anyways!!

  • debra55847
    debra55847 krista4435

    Posted

    Hello,

    ?I am new to this discussion but I had Cartiva placed almost 6 months ago.  I am still having swelling, stiffness, and some tenderness with the joint.  I am only wearing tennis shoes.  Any suggestions?

    • fusor2000
      fusor2000 debra55847

      Posted

      I had the Cartiva 3 was ago. I am also a PT.  Scar tissue takes a year to become elastic, so stiffness would be normal. My hip replacement took a yr for very functional ROM. My to is doing very well with minor, expected, discomfort with motion, at this point. Pain free at rest. 
  • laurie85551
    laurie85551 krista4435

    Posted

    It has been recommended that my husband have Cartiva on his second toe, but there is no research to support that. Does anyone have any experience with it?
    • patricia32684
      patricia32684 laurie85551

      Posted

      Second toe ?? I do not think that it is a good idea...who recommended this?The Cartiva implant is meant for the big toe only as I understand it..do not go into this surgery lightly... I have not had it be the " quick" recovery that this implant is marketed as!

    • fusor2000
      fusor2000 laurie85551

      Posted

      Only the the first great toe is allowed in the US, unless the rules just changed. Most likely allowed in Europe, as the US is always behind. 
    • palmetto24648
      palmetto24648 fusor2000

      Posted

      Cartiva's director of clinical ops told me that they are starting clinical trials for the cartiva to be used in the thumb joint. This will go on most of this summer (2018). If all goes well, it will be approved for that joint here in the US after that (in EU and UK they already use it for both big toes and thumbs). Never heard of any second toe usage.....

    • kat66984
      kat66984 patricia32684

      Posted

      I agree, 6 weeks in and PT is still painful, trying to walk normal is still a major task. Have yet to fit in a tennis shoe, still swollen, scar is still very nerve tender. My personal opinion is, if you have a toe that has not bent properly in months or years, because of the pain, then the recovery is longer. And folks that are able to walk and run prior to surgery recover way faster. My Dr. did a fantastic job, told me 3 weeks recovery. However, after my 1st post op appt. She said 8 weeks! One look at my foot (compared to her other patient, who was a runner and ran on it the day before his Cartiva AND wanted to run on it 3 weeks after), was a major difference! I had not been walking for at least a year without horrific pain, and had my shuffle going. I'm so glad I had it, but for me this is a looooong recovery. I have zero resting pain now, which is a miracle. I am still icing and stretching my toe back all day long! I'm going back to my standing job June 1st, I can say, I don't think my foot is ready. Perhaps 12 weeks is more realistic?!

    • patricia32684
      patricia32684 kat66984

      Posted

      Hi Kat, I am 12 & 1/2 weeks out and I am just half way through with pt... my Dr. prescribed " gait training" I can honestly say that I am on neutral ground... I am just starting to get my walking back to somewhat more flexible & slightly more comfortable than after surgery... my Dr said I needed to give it 6 months even before I had the surgery. I am a hairstylist & I am just now working full time with out the boot. I am keeping hope that I will continue to improve although I can honestly say that there was a time when I was sorry I had the surgery & I am just now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel.... good luck to you.😊

    • kat66984
      kat66984 patricia32684

      Posted

      Hi, thank you for that info. I have been through the mental ups and downs too in the past weeks. I will mention the gait training.. I need it, as I have been shuffling for so long, I roll my foot out still. PT has been mainly balance, stretch, bike and electric zapping to get the swelling down, icing. I put on 10lbs which I know doesn't help. I can get back to swimming next week, that will help with being a little depressed. Laying around isn't good for anyone. How are you standing at work? Are you back to full days in tennis shoes? And is your tootsie swollen and miserable? Also, has your incision been a nervy mess when you apply pressure? My dissolving stitches on the knot end is working its way out of the skin, driving me crazy. Dr. said, if it pops out, that it's OK. (OMG) more surprises, yay! I also had a major acute dermatitis from the steri strips glue with huge pus blisters oozing, so my skin is still healing and peeling. It was a gross set back. Sorry you're neutral, I know you will feel wonderful again, it's just taking time. Remember, we all heal at different speeds, I also have worked on my feet most of my life in sales and our poor feet and legs have taken a beating, so maybe healing time takes longer too. I'm taking Andrew Lessman vitamins for leg and vein health, and my "D's"...trying to really get going again, granted at a sloths pace! So you are doing GREAT at 3+ months if you're behind your chair already!!!! Good luck and keep me updated. God save our feet! Lol

    • patricia32684
      patricia32684 kat66984

      Posted

      Hi Kat, I have been working with a barber stool at my salon... but I was still in the boot until 2 weeks ago...we went on vacation and it was 90 + degrees so I just made myself walk with out it & I am not going to lie it was rough!! but I did it..my therapist said that was a great achievement. I still have the swelling & I am able to whear Merrell sandals & I use " dancer pads" that was suggested by another paitent on this site... I definitely had major nervy discomfort by the incision & it's still sensitive.. I didn't have the problems with the stitches or other things that is unfortunate for you 😒.. I am also able to get into a pair of sketchers dlites in a 1/2 size bigger than I usually whear... the bottom of my foot is still very sensitive also so cushy feels good but I need the support of the Merrell sandals for work... still have 2 more weeks of pt.. and I take longer to do ANYTHING than I used to.. I am still trying to get used to that..lol... take care and keep me posted on how things are going with you 😀

    • patricia32684
      patricia32684

      Posted

      Hi Kat, I also forgot to mention that I am taking ibuprofen on a regular basis... I take 400mg every 6 hours while working and as needed otherwise ...by the end of the day my toe looks like a sasuage!! I know that is going to take a long time also.
    • kat66984
      kat66984 patricia32684

      Posted

      Hi, me too with the ibuprofen, I also take meloxicam for an anti inflammatory. I tried going off, but the walking was too much of a killer.

      I will try the Merrill sandals, as summer is coming. I'm in CA.. I am wearing Altra (Torin) running shoes, super wide and comfy soft for the bottom of your feet. Yes, my toe is a sausage also at the end of the day. God, I know about being slow right now! Swimming is a super exercise without the joint strain, gait practice is allot less stressful too, under water. I'm getting back into the pool Monday...Can't wait to walk like I used to, fast! Just think, we'll have to do this again in 20 or so years!!! Lol

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