KBA Attorneys Working With Top Experts

KBA is dedicated to patients who had a Cartiva toe implant and had to have it removed. We have spoken with hundreds of patients; we understand the broken promises and pain. Our attorneys have worked with top experts, surgeons and others who implanted these devices, studied the supposed safety data, and know the device well. We have worked through the literature, data, and the consequences.

We continue to fight for those who suffer. Contact us right away if you have had problems with a Cartiva toe implant.

Cartiva Toe Implants and Cartiva Implant Lawsuits

As people get older, they often develop arthritis. When arthritis develops in a person’s foot, it can impact their ability to get around and their overall mobility. One of the most common forms of arthritis is hallux rigidus, or big toe arthritis, which occurs at the base of a person’s big toe. This condition often causes excruciating pain.

Many sufferers undergo toe fusion surgeries to alleviate the pain, but fusing two toes together could reduce their mobility. In recent years, people have had the option of choosing big toe implant surgery, which is supposed to reduce pain and leave people with almost full mobility. However, the implants can cause additional problems, resulting in further pain and injury.

Cartiva Toe Implants

In 2016, Cartiva, Inc. sought FDA approval for its new product to treat big toe arthritis – the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant. The Cartiva Implant involved a small, hydrogel implant (made of the same substance as a contact lens) being surgically implanted inside the base of the big toe. The implant would sit several millimeters proud and was supposed to mimic the feel of natural, human cartilage, doing away with the bone-on-bone contact that was causing the patient’s pain and limited mobility and allowing the patient to freely move the joint.

The MOTION Study

To obtain FDA approval, Cartiva commissioned the MOTION study, a prospective, non-inferiority study evaluating the Cartiva implant as compared to the gold-standard fusion. The authors of the MOTION study concluded that Cartiva provided equivalent pain relief and functional outcomes and was an “excellent alternative” to a fusion where patients wished to maintain motion in the great toe. Critically, the MOTION study found that less than ten (10%) of those implanted with Cartiva failed within the first two years.

Unfortunately, these results were not replicated in patients outside of the trial. Thousands of patients began receiving the Cartiva implant, hopeful they would be able to retain their range of motion, run marathons, and wear shoes of their choice. However, the true Cartiva implant failure rate proved to be far higher, and countless patients have suffered, often undergoing additional surgeries to remove the Cartiva implant failure, graft the bone loss caused by the Cartiva implant procedure, and have the joint fused.

How Do Cartiva Toe Implants Work?

People undergo toe implant surgery to relieve pain. Cartiva implant surgery is a minimally invasive procedure, and the recovery time was not expected to be as long as with traditional surgeries. With implant surgery, doctors install a synthetic implant into the big toe joint, which acts like human cartilage. It allows people to move their implanted joint freely, meaning that a person should be able to resume their normal activities after a successful surgery.
If a patient experiences problems after their toe implant surgery, they should consult with their doctor who could come up with a treatment plan to help relieve their pain. After consulting with their doctors, they may also seek legal assistance to see if the Cartiva toe implant failed and compensation may be appropriate.
A team of dedicated lawyers has experience reviewing medical records and could help a patient better understand the results of their surgery, future expected prognosis, and the likelihood of success with a legal claim.

Cartiva Implant Failures

Since 2016, many patients across the U.S. suffering from big toe arthritis have received the Cartiva implant. Despite the company’s promise that the implant alleviates the pain and mobility restrictions associated with bone-on-bone arthritis, the implant has failed in many patients, resulting in further pain and injury. Indeed, one company designed a product specifically to address failed Cartiva implants naming it after the device, spelled backwards.

Potential Problems With Cartiva Implants And Cartiva Implant Failure Symptoms

Clinical trials predicted that the Cartiva surgery’s results would be superior to traditional toe fusion surgeries. However, actual patients had more difficulties than expected with the surgery. The surgeries have not been as successful at alleviating pain or increasing mobility for many patients. In addition, several patients have more pain and foot problems from the Cartiva implant failure.

Common Cartiva implant failure symptoms may include:

Subsidence
Implant slippage
Pain in the joint
Grinding
Limited mobility
Gait affect, such as limping or favoring the other leg
Cartiva revision and removal surgeries

The Cartiva implant is very smooth, and the smoothness of the synthetic implant could cause it to slip. The device is also prone to subsidence. This means it can cave or slip directly into the attached bone. The causes intense pain and mobility issues when subsidence occurs. Some doctors also believe that the device is not very durable and does not hold up well over time, leading to future problems.

Significant Consequences

Many patients with these implants will eventually need additional surgeries to remove the Cartiva implant failure or fix the problems. This leads to further pain. The final stop appears to be a fusion of the two bones in the big toe. Here’s what AI created as an image for Arthrodesis of the Big Toe Joint. Put simply, the surgeon attaches the two bones in the big toe.

Cartiva Toe Implant Lawsuit

In many cases, undergoing a fusion after a failed Cartiva is a more difficult surgery wwith less favorable results than if the patient would have received a primary fusion. This can result in patients undergoing third and fourth surgeries following a failed Cartiva toe implant, hardware removal surgeries, and complications due to infection.

Economic Losses on Top of Pain and Suffering

Patients might need to take time away from their jobs while they heal. That lost income may be compensable. The device can also cause unnecessary medical expenses and related economic losses. When third parties cover the cost of these medical treatments, they can have a right to subrogation or a lien, which can come from the injured party’s recover in a Cartiva implant lawsuit or claim.

A knowledgeable Cartiva toe implant attorney could help an injured patient recover compensation for this defective product and navigate these complex legal waters.

If Your Cartiva Implant Hasn’t Stopped the Pain or Given Returned Range of Motion, Seek Medical Attention and Consult KBA Attorneys

If a big toe surgery involving a Cartiva toe implant has caused you problems, you might be eligible to seek compensation or file a Cartiva implant lawsuit. Problems include persistent or worsening pain or limited mobility. In such situations, patients should first consult with their doctor to come up with a treatment plan. They may also Contact Us – KBA Attorneys to see if there may be a legal claim related to your Cartiva implant failure.

Cartiva Claims Status Update

From time to time, we see Cartiva implant lawsuits filed. Seems few and far between. Another just hit the news in April 2024, Orthopedics Maker Faces Migrating Arthritis Implant Lawsuit (bloomberglaw.com). Our analysis is that this Cartiva implant failure lawsuit presents the same complaint as another law firm filed a year or so ago, not much new other than another person hurt by the device.

You can check our blog for more updates. We have some included for you here:

Learn More about Cartiva Toe Implants and Cartiva Implant Lawsuits From KBA Attorney, Whitney Butcher

KBA Attorneys have an excellent partner working on Cartiva cases, Whitney Butcher (kbaattorneys.com). Ms. Butcher is a medical device trial attorney at KBA with experience in all aspects of medical device lawsuits. Our legal team has studied Cartiva implant reviews from patients across the country. We understand the science and medicine.

Ms. Butcher provides the sixty-second overview here:

Ms. Butcher works with KBA’s experts regularly. She learns the science and medicine to understand how they operate within our legal system. Whitney speaks with patients regularly; she is a true advocate. She is leading the Cartiva toe implant failure matter at KBA with a client-centered focus rooted in the law and cutting-edge strategies to bring clients’ cases to life.

If you believe you are worse after a Cartiva toe implant surgery, call your physician first. Then reach out to us. A seasoned attorney can review your legal options and we can educate you about Cartiva toe and the Cartiva Implant Lawsuits.

These implants are medical devices and present complex legal issues. The attorneys at KBA are experienced medical device lawyers. You might be eligible to seek legal relief against the manufacturers of the defective implant that caused you harm. Contact us today to find out.

Contact Us To Discuss The Specifics Of Your Potential Cartiva Claim And A Cartiva Implant Lawsuit

An attorney may be able to help you obtain damages to compensate you for your physical, emotional, and financial losses arising from the Cartiva implant failure. Contact us to reach our skilled, compassionate legal team today to learn how to get started on your potential case.

Here’s a library of material to help you in your journey.

KBA Attorneys now accepting new clients in the Cartiva® toe implant lawsuit

Cartiva Toe Implant Failure

Whitney Butcher gives the quick scoop on Cartiva Toe Implant cases

Another Cartiva Toe Implant Lawsuit Filed

Recent Publication Says Cartiva Toe Implant Failure Rate Higher Than Initially Reported

Cartiva Toe Implant Failures

Cartiva Toe Implant Lawsuit