1. Community
  2. Injury and accidents
  3. Foot and Toe Problems

Had Cartiva implant three weeks ago in Houston

Posted , 3 users are following.

martha010
martha010

I wish i had seen this website before having my surgery.   i'm surprised by all the different post op differences.    I hope that i'm doing the right things post op.  I had my Cartiva implant three weeks ago by Dr. T. Hanson (foot and ankle ortho surgeon)  in Houston.   I iced and elevated the foot for two days and can have full weight bearing wearing a surgical boot every time i'm up.    I will be having dressing changes every two weeks x 3 --- i have to wear the boot for 6-8 weeks post op.   (i'm 63 yrs old and also had a hammertoe repair on my second toe next to the cartiva toe).

?i never took pain pills post op  but i've had quite a bit of pain.   lots of sensations anywhere from numbness in the boot to sharp nerve like pain and buzzing sensations.   if you told me that i would need to get up and run or walk with no surgical shoe or boot i wouldn't be able to do it  --- the ball of my foot hurts.   hard to tell if the pain comes from the hammertoe surgery or the cartiva surgery.   i think i'm not going to see the full results for 3-6 months.     i feel very winey though and just want to get out of the boot and not have to depend on my husband for so much.     i hate to read that other patients iced their foot and elevated it for 2 weeks !!   i could have done it longer but i thought two days was good enough.   i also developed awful back pain with the boot (uneven gait)  and was told to buy an "even-Up" shoe  --- found it on amazon  --- sure wish i would have found that out earlier too.    i'm going to stay optimistic and hope for the best.

1 like, 2 replies

2 Replies

  • KateSand
    KateSand martha010

    Posted

    Martha 010

    I had Cartiva almost three months ago and I think I have finally turned the corner on the pain.  I was on Meloxicam and Tramadol (as needed).  My doctor is in the DFW area and I was his second patient for this procedure.  I walked out of the hospital with a surgery shoe on.  I iced the foot quite a bit the first 10 days and then some until about two weeks ago.  I have pain the the planters facia under the foot, pain on the outside of the foot and pain in the ball of my foot.  The stitches were removed at 10 days and doctor said I could wear a supportive shoe.  I found that most shoes hurt!  I'm a big fan of the Clark's thong sandle and Ecco's sport shoes.

    I cannot wear a closed toe shoe yet.  I cannot walk distance and did some physical therapy starting at 6 weeks post op for 4 weeks.  I continue those exrcises at home.

    The toe is very mobile  when I bend it.  It's tight but no pain so I'm confident all the other related pain with subside in time. BTW, my doctor told be the other area of pain was due to walking incorrectly for so long to compensate for the hallux rigidus.

    The burning pain in the ball seems to be the nerves regenerating.  

    With your second issue (hammertoe) your experience is probably different from mine so I'd just see your doctor for other questions. I hope my post helps you.

    Kate

    • martha010
      martha010 KateSand

      Posted

      Thanks Kate for your response.    I do think the hammertoe surgery in addition to the Cartiva makes a big difference.    My cartiva toe is stiff but I think most of the pain is coming from under the hammertoe surgery  where a tendon was removed and cut and screws were inserted.     I have never taken anything for pain  --- I got the Rx filled but didn’t take any.

      Plantar fasciitis can be horrible.    I had it in my other foot ( the good one)  --- I got relief with Profoot shoe insert I found at Walmart and some stretching exercises from a doctor on Youtube.  

      I do wish that I had iced my foot longer but I’m hoping for the best.     I’m getting along well with the boot.    Do dread when the boot comes off  --- hope I can walk without too much pain but I expect it and know that it will take 3-6 months to fully recover.   I’ll be in the boot for 6-8 weeks post op.

      While I was in the recovery room the Cartiva rep who watched my surgery came out and my husband happened to see him and speak with him for a long time.     He told my husband that my doctor was very good  --- meticulous  ---one of the best he had seen.    So that made me feel good too ---

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.