What Are the Warning Signs of a Failing Cartiva Toe Implant?

The Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant was designed to relieve pain and preserve movement in the big toe joint for people with arthritis. However, some patients have experienced ongoing pain, difficulty walking, stiffness, and other complications after receiving the implant. In October 2024, the manufacturer initiated a recall after post-market reports identified higher-than-expected rates of several complications, including implant subsidence, displacement, pain, nerve damage, and fragmentation.

For patients who received a Cartiva implant, recognizing possible signs of failure is important. Symptoms may develop gradually or become noticeable after an initial period of improvement. Although these problems do not automatically mean the implant has failed, they may indicate that the joint needs further medical evaluation.

Persistent or Worsening Big Toe Pain

Pain is one of the most important warning signs patients should watch for after Cartiva surgery. The implant was intended to reduce pain associated with arthritis in the big toe joint. When discomfort continues beyond the expected recovery period or returns after an initial improvement, patients may need to investigate the cause.

Some patients experience pain when standing, walking, or putting pressure on the front of the foot. Others notice discomfort during activities that require the big toe to bend. Pain that becomes more frequent or severe may indicate that the implant is not functioning as intended or that another complication has developed.

Persistent pain can have several causes, including inflammation, changes in the joint, implant movement, or deterioration of surrounding bone. A medical evaluation can help determine whether the implant is contributing to the problem.

Difficulty Walking or Putting Weight on the Foot

A properly functioning big toe joint helps support balance and movement. It also plays an important role when a person pushes off the ground while walking. When a Cartiva implant develops complications, patients may notice changes in how they walk or how much weight they can comfortably place on the affected foot.

Warning signs may include difficulty pushing off the big toe, discomfort when climbing stairs, limping, or an inability to participate in activities that were previously manageable. Some patients may begin shifting their weight to the other foot to avoid pressure on the affected joint.

These changes can interfere with everyday activities and may become more noticeable over time. Patients should discuss new or worsening mobility problems with their treating physician rather than assuming they are simply part of the normal recovery process.

Swelling, Stiffness, and Reduced Joint Movement

Swelling and stiffness can occur after foot surgery, particularly during the recovery period. However, symptoms that persist, return, or worsen may deserve additional attention.

A Cartiva implant complication may affect how the big toe joint moves. Patients may notice that bending the toe becomes increasingly difficult or that the joint feels stiff during ordinary activities. Swelling around the joint may also make shoes uncomfortable or increase pressure when walking.

Reduced movement can affect more than comfort. It may change a person’s walking pattern, limit physical activity, and make routine tasks more difficult. When these symptoms develop or continue long after surgery, a physician may recommend imaging or other testing to examine the joint and implant.

Changes in Implant Position or Structure

Not all Cartiva implant complications are visible from the outside. Some problems involve changes in the implant’s position or physical condition that require medical imaging to identify.

Two complications identified in the recall were subsidence and displacement. Subsidence occurs when an implant sinks or settles farther into the surrounding bone than intended. Displacement involves a change in the implant’s original position.

The recall also identified fragmentation as a reported hazard. If the implant breaks apart, it may no longer provide the intended support within the joint.

Patients cannot reliably identify these problems based on symptoms alone. A physician may use X-rays or other imaging studies to evaluate the implant, surrounding bone, and joint structure. These findings can help determine whether the device has shifted, settled, or experienced another complication.

Numbness, Tingling, or Other Nerve-Related Symptoms

The Cartiva recall also identified nerve damage among the reported hazards. Patients who experience unusual changes in sensation around the big toe or nearby areas should discuss those symptoms with a healthcare provider.

Possible concerns include numbness, tingling, burning sensations, or unusual sensitivity. These symptoms can have different causes, and they do not necessarily establish that the implant damaged a nerve. However, new or worsening sensory changes deserve medical attention, particularly when they occur alongside pain, swelling, or reduced movement.

A physician can evaluate whether the symptoms involve nerve irritation, surgical complications, the implant, or another underlying condition.

What Should You Do If You Notice These Warning Signs?

Patients who received a Cartiva implant should not ignore new or worsening symptoms. The FDA recall notice recommends continued monitoring for problems such as pain, difficulty walking, skin reactions, stiffness, swelling, and weakness in the big toe joint.

If you experience these symptoms, consider taking the following steps:

• Schedule a medical evaluation: Contact your treating physician or an orthopedic foot and ankle specialist to discuss your symptoms.
• Ask whether imaging is appropriate: X-rays or other studies may help identify changes involving the implant or surrounding bone.
• Keep records of your symptoms: Document when the pain or mobility problems began, how they have changed, and how they affect daily activities.
• Preserve your medical records: Keep copies of surgical reports, imaging results, follow-up notes, and treatment recommendations.
• Do not assume removal is necessary: A recall does not mean every implanted device must be removed. Treatment decisions should depend on the patient’s individual medical condition and a physician’s recommendations.

Patients should also seek prompt medical attention if they develop signs of a possible infection, such as increasing redness, warmth, drainage, or fever around the surgical area.

Can a Failed Cartiva Implant Lead to Another Surgery?

In some cases, complications may become serious enough that a patient needs additional surgery. Depending on the condition of the joint and surrounding bone, a surgeon may recommend removing the implant or considering another procedure.

One possible option is joint fusion, also known as arthrodesis. This procedure joins the bones of the big toe joint to reduce painful movement. Although fusion may help some patients, it can permanently limit movement in that joint and may require a substantial recovery period.

Revision surgery can also create additional medical expenses, time away from work, and physical limitations. Patients who originally chose Cartiva to preserve joint movement may find themselves facing a more involved treatment process than they expected.

Can You File a Lawsuit Over Cartiva Implant Complications?

Patients who experience serious complications after receiving a Cartiva implant may have questions about whether they can pursue compensation. The FDA recall identified higher-than-expected rates of several reported hazards, but the recall alone does not establish that every implant was defective or that every patient’s injury resulted from a product defect.

A potential product liability claim may involve questions about the implant’s design, manufacturing, safety information, or warnings provided to patients and healthcare professionals. The specific facts matter, including the type of injury, medical history, implant records, and whether the device contributed to the patient’s condition.

Depending on the circumstances, a claim may seek compensation for additional medical treatment, revision surgery, lost income, pain, and other damages recognized under applicable law. New York patients should also be aware that product liability claims have filing deadlines and legal requirements that can depend on the circumstances of the case.

Alonso Krangle Fight for Victims After a Cartiva Implant Failure

Living with a painful or failing toe implant can affect mobility, independence, and quality of life. Patients who expected relief from arthritis may instead face ongoing discomfort, additional procedures, and uncertainty about their recovery. If you received a Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant and experienced complications, you may want to understand whether the device played a role in your injuries. Alonso Krangle can help. Our attorneys represent patients nationwide in claims against Stryker and Cartiva, holding them accountable for defective medical devices that cause lasting harm. Call us at 800-403-6191 or contact us online for a free consultation and confidential case evaluation.