Big Toe Surgery Patients Report Cartiva Implant Failures

Big Toe Surgery Patients Report Cartiva Implant Failures

Introduction

The Cartiva implant, promoted as a groundbreaking alternative to big toe fusion surgery, was designed to provide pain relief for individuals with degraded cartilage in the big toe joint.

What is Cartiva implant?

Marketed as a revolutionary solution, the implant quickly gained attention as a minimally invasive option that preserved joint movement. However, numerous reports of failures have raised serious concerns about the device's safety and reliability.

Cartiva failure symptoms

Patients began reporting Cartiva failure symptoms just a few years after the implant's introduction. Common issues include severe toe pain, loosening of the implant, fractures, and subsidence, where the device sinks into the bone. These complications often lead to debilitating pain, reduced mobility, and the need for additional surgeries. Many affected individuals have shared their experiences on online forums and social media, describing the severe and life-altering side effects of Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implants (SCI).

Increasing number of lawsuits against the implant

Now, an increasing number of patients are filing lawsuits against the device manufacturer, alleging that the implant's defective design makes it prone to failure. These lawsuits claim the manufacturer withheld crucial information about the risks from both patients and the medical community, preventing users from taking necessary precautions to avoid permanent physical impairment.

One of the lawsuits against the implant

One high-profile case involves a firefighter and emergency medical technician who filed a Cartiva implant lawsuit in August 2023. She reported experiencing painful deformity and bone loss in her big toe following the implant's failure.

What happened with the plaintiff?

Initially placed to alleviate cartilage degradation, the implant caused intense swelling, severe pain, and significant dysfunction. By August 2021, doctors determined the implant had failed, necessitating removal and a subsequent fusion surgery. This corrective procedure left her toe permanently deformed and resulted in significant bone loss, severely restricting its mobility. She now faces advanced arthritis and anticipates additional surgeries in the future.

Another lawsuit

Another plaintiff, who filed a lawsuit in November 2023, described similar debilitating effects. The failed implant left him with severely limited toe mobility, causing stress on adjacent joints and accelerating deterioration in other parts of his foot and leg. These complications required adjustments to his footwear and curtailed his active lifestyle. In February 2023, the implant was surgically removed, leading to substantial medical bills, loss of income, and ongoing rehabilitation. Despite these interventions, he continues to suffer from chronic pain and the financial and emotional toll of the implant's failure.

As these cases proceed, they highlight the long-term consequences of Cartiva implant failures. Many patients now face permanent disabilities, chronic pain, and significant financial burdens, underscoring the importance of holding manufacturers accountable for the safety of their medical devices.