Cartiva, Inc. has announced that the first commercial U.S. patient has received the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) following its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on July 1. According to the July 12, 2016 news release, “The Cartiva SCI device is intended for use in the treatment of patients with painful arthritis at the base of the big toe, the most common arthritic condition in the foot. The outpatient procedure was performed by Judith F. Baumhauer, M.D. at University of Rochester Medical Center’s Sawgrass Surgery Center.”
“Today, one in 40 Americans over the age of 50 experience arthritis of the toe, and with the aging population, that number is likely to grow. This condition can be particularly life-impacting—limiting a person’s ability to conduct functional activities of daily living, producing pain and discomfort and restricting shoe wear options, ” said Dr. Baumhauer. “The Cartiva implant was accomplished in a quick, simple surgical procedure and we look forward to offering this innovative option to more people in need.”
Dr. Baumhauer told OTW, “What I found very interesting and surprising during my first Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) procedure was how smoothly it all came together. As a surgeon, you always go in expecting the first procedure to take a little extra time or require some fussing or tweaks to be done. In this case, the Cartiva implant was easily inserted and on X-ray it visibly sat proud in the joint—exactly as it is designed to provide optimal comfort and minimize friction in the joint. In surgery, you don’t expect the first procedure to go off without a hitch and the smoothness of this procedure was surprising. Now, I am excited to find more patients who can benefit from the Cartiva implant.”
Regarding the recent FDA process, Cartiva President and CEO Timothy J. Patrick told OTW, “The most interesting part of the process was the set-up and conducting of the clinical trial. The Cartiva MOTION clinical study was the largest study ever undertaken for arthritis of the great toe joint. This gave us an opportunity to work with 20 of the top foot and ankle surgeons at 12 sites in Canada and the United Kingdom. These surgeons have over 500 published clinical papers collectively, so we were dealing with a very elite and accomplished surgeon group. The opportunity to work with surgeons of this caliber with such great clinical insight and knowledge was really interesting.
“The Cartiva implant is the first synthetic cartilage product approved by the FDA. It was subjected to the most rigorous clinical evaluation ever for a product that provides an alternative to permanent fusing of the joint. The procedure is simple and quick and requires a very minimal tool set. Patients are not restricted to a boot or cast after surgery, are able to bear weight as tolerated. The data shows that patients can expect significant pain reduction, improved function and improved range of motion.”
IS THERE A HIP CARTILAGE IMPLANT AVAILABLE?
Are there implants available for finger joints? My husband has severe pain in his joints from arthritis. At times he can’t close his hands.
Pam,
I saw your question and just ran into a man this week that had that very procedure done at the University of Virginia Hand Center on two Knuckles and was very happy to be out of the extreme pain he was having. I’m not sure where you live but worth checking into.
Is the Cartiva toe implant available at any hospitals in the Southeast U.S.?
Do you have any actual patient reports on their recovery from this procedure?
thinking of getting this done, any current news!!
Had this done 21st Dec 2016 in the UK. Still in a lot of pain, struggle to walk, have to wear a protective rocker boot which is awkward to walk in and often trips me over – even with crutches. Minimal walking and activity – 1st matartarsal has cartiva implant and chielectomy – most painful thing I have ever experienced.
Please let me know how you are doing. I am scheduled to have this done on March 1st.
Had this done on February 8th and have had very little pain. Able to walk on it with a boot after 2 days and around the house without the boot after a week. Amazing procedure!
Hi Scott, can you share where you had this performed? Thanks.
Hello Roslyn. How are you doing after your surgery? I am getting ready to schedule. Lynn
I had this procedure done in November 2017. I had extreme pain from the get-go. I was not able to put any weight on the foot for several weeks. As of this writing it has been five months. I have been going to physical therapy twice a week. I still have a lot of pain, the whole joint is still swollen and I have hyper-sensitivity in the nerves on the bottom of my toe. I still walk with a limp. What’s worse is that in these past five months the implant has worn away the bone by 2.3mm. My doctor has never seen this before, his colleague has never heard of this happening. I wish this had worked for me, but now I’m facing complete uncertainty.
Is the Cartiva toe implant available in the Virginia/Norfolk area?
Carole I would also like to know where in VA they are performing this procedure with Cartiva if you get any responses. Hopefully closer to Charlottesville or NOVA.
Thanks
Is this surgery available anywhere in the world for the 2nd toe?
Hi Joanie, I had the implant done on my second toe three weeks ago and I seem to be healing up pretty quickly. The previous hammer toe surgery didn’t heal after three years. It’s too early to tell how the next three weeks will be as I’m scheduled to be back to work by then but I feel I am making great progress. I’m still in a boot but should be in normal shoes in a week or so. Hope this helps.
Brad, where and who did your 2nd toe with Cartiva? Do you know if they have done other patients’ 2nd toe? Have a friend who is looking for options to fusion.
Carole Bass…..did you find anyone who can perform this surgery in the Norfolk area? I live here and would love to have it done
Hi, I’d like to know if there are any surgeons performing this in NJ or NY? I think this is exactly what I’ve been waiting for ….I’ve been suffering (both feet) for close to ten years. I can’t believe this may finally be the fix I’ve been waiting for…Thanks in advance for helping me find a doctor. Thx
Connie my doctor, Dr. Judith Baumhauer who is based in Rochester, NY, was the first surgeon in this country to perform this procedure. She performed toe fusions on me so I did not undergo this procedure, but I can
tell you she is excellent! She’s affiliated with University of Rochester.
My doctor brought this up as an option. I’m wondering how people are doing now that some people are many months post procedure.
had my implant 11-29-17 no pain until 12-1- less pain each day . 6th day feel great while still wearing boot. no problem with walking on my heel. very happy with recovery. go for it
What doctor’s are in the Louisiana area that have performed the CARTIVA Synthetic Cartilage Implant. And, are they in the Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Network?
Hi, I have arthritis in the big toe and my second toe is sliding. Can Cartiva be used in other joins in hands and feet to relieve pain in other arthritic joints. If so, what Doctors perform the implant near Knoxville, TN. I would appreciate any help. Thank You Verni
I had this surgery performed on the R big toe joint a year ago due to severe arthritis. The recovery was longer and more painful than I thought it would be but at about the six or seventh month the swelling was gone and I now rarely notice it anymore. I’m glad I got the implant vs. fusing.
Had my left toe done on December 5 2018. Had my right toe done on December 11 2018. Walked the same afternoon for both. Left is healed with only a scar. Just had bandage removed from right one. Scar nearly healed. I have been walking each day without boot and with very little pain.
At this rate I should be walking freely by the new year. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Lou, I work as a firefighter and am scheduled to have this surgery in February. Can you give me an advice on what your activity level is since surgery?