Cartiva - Has anyone had it?

had cartiva operation 2/15/18 over a year ago. took me iver a year to recover. i can bend my toe but ****if you want to bend toe, you must suffer or go to a fusion where you heal in a few months but can't bend the toe. i can wear heels today

had cartiva operation 2/15/18 over a year ago. took me iver a year to recover. i can bend my toe but ****if you want to bend toe, you must suffer or go to a fusion where you heal in a few months but can't bend the toe. i can wear heels today

This is an FYI and will be my last post to the Patient Cartiva Forum unless someone specifically requests more information/follow up from me.

I am a 67 yr old male in very good physical condition. I had a Cartiva implant in Jan 2018. By September 2018 the implant failed meaning that it receded into the metatarsal so that I was back to bone on bone. Since then I had been researching joint replacement options and talking to other surgeons. As it turns out 5 of 6 surgeons in my area want to revise with a fusion. The 6th was a young surgeon (40ish) who really only does joint replacements. He feels strongly that except in the very last resort, joint mobility should be preserved. He has done around 175 joint replacements successfully to date. His hospital tracks this number. He has even reversed fusions for some who regretted the decision. He has a silicone implant and a metallic implant that he uses. After a lot of research I chose the titanium implant. I can supply the name if anyone is interested. There is a lot of info out on the web about it. Materially the joint looks a lot like what is commonly used in knees and hips.

Fast forward, the joint replacement was installed 6 days ago. Post op pain was similar to Cartiva when I woke up from sedation (no block). After getting that initial pain under control, it was thereafter minimal, and I have not needed any pain reliever at all in 4 days. I am wearing an orthopedic boot which does a great job of protecting the surgical site, and am able to walk around with a nearly normal gait wearing it. Even without the boot I am able to step without pain, though I am not pushing it yet. Since it was my left foot I was able to start driving as soon as the narcotic pain reliever was out of my system . I have much less swelling this time than I did after the Cartiva, and have about 15 degrees ROM up and down with NO pain during flexion. The doc feels that this will get to 45 degrees dorsally after PT, which starts in two weeks. He said that with the entire joint replaced (metatarsal and phalangeal sides) the typical source of joint site pain is removed. Time will tell how well this works but I'm pleased so far.

He did make an interesting comment to me today when I was in for my follow up. He said that he just reviewed a recent study that implies that 50% of Cartiva Implants will fail in 2 years. He had himself performed 4 Cartivas initially, but stopped immediately thereafter when he right away began seeing signs of recession.

I Had it done 6 months ago . Pain now worse every day .

Please add my voice to those who had the Cartiva implant and it subsequently receded. I had the procedure 18 months ago and am now again bone on bone. my recovery was unremarkable but the pain never truly went away. Now I know why. My podiatrist is recommending fusion.

Had the Cartiva implant in November 2018. Now went to a second DPM for evaluation of progress who said implant failed, bone-on-bone, extreme pain. Working with Dynasplints three times a day per my surgeon to "stretch out the ligament that has scar tissue." DPM said problem is no space there from the implant. DPM said no amount of stretching will correct the problem/pain. I will be checking into the lawsuit class action. Going back to surgeon to let him know about DPM findings. I imagine he, like the DPM will suggest a fusion. Not looking forward to another surgery that will effect my life in a major way. Ugh!

Had Cartiva surgery on one foot 11/19/18. Was told yesterday after checking with a DPM for a follow-up appointment since it was so difficult to get scheduled with the orthopedic surgeon who did the surgery. On my last visit with the orthopedic surgeon he said the reason I was still having so much pain and couldn't wear regular shoes yet was because of scar tissue along the tendon on top of my foot. Ordered Dynasplints to "stretch the toes up and down" to help release the tendon. DPM took X-rays and said I had bone-on-bone, that the Cartiva implant spacer failed. That no amount of stretching will relieve the pain. He recommended a fusion of the joints. Going back to the orthopedic surgeon to let him know what the DPM said and see if he agrees. Do not want another major surgery that will affect my life drastically at this time. However, the pain will move my in this direction if there are no other solutions. I don't take medical advice from the internet, but I am finding it interesting to read other experiences that are the same as mine. Did everything the surgeon told me to do as it was important to me for this to work. I don't take surgery lightly and put a lot of thought into the decision. Very frustrated right now. Right now my thought is to wait until the "magical" one year point to see if pain gets better. However, DPM says pain most likely won't go away unless I have a fusion. The nerve pain has subsided across my feet/toes, but now I have constant heel pain and pain at the ball of foot, causing me to walk incorrectly. Now I have stabbing groin pain that causes sharp, grabbing pain when turning or walking which causes my leg to go out from under me, almost causing me to fall. My mom says I need to see a orthopedic doctor to see if a tendon is twisted. Frankly, not sure what I need at this point.

i had it done in november . i have so much pain . its terrible ! IT BURNS AND I HAVE STABBING PAINS ? IM JUST NOT SURE WHAT TO DO NEXT