Joy and Arthur Leinoff, a couple in their 60s, have been suffering from toe arthritis for years forcing them to curtail their normally active lifestyle. Thanks to a new synthetic cartilage implant though, they have a new lease on life.
The Leinoff’s enjoy tennis, hiking and traveling together, but the pain from their toe arthritis had grown more frequent and more intense.
“I had really bad pain and swelling in my big toe, particularly when I played tennis or when I would walk for long periods of time,” Joy Leinoff said.
“I was not able to wear high heels. Over the last few years, it got progressively worse. It was really awful.”
For her husband, Arthur, it was even worse, she said. He had severe arthritis in both his big toes.
“He tried everything, from ibuprofen to all kinds of liniments, you name it. He was desperate, but he didn’t want to have the joint in his big toe fused because that would end his tennis career and a lot of other things we like to do.”
Last year Joy had the synthetic cartilage (Cartiva, Inc.) implanted in the big toe on her left foot at the Hospital of Special Surgery in New York and a few months later, Arthur had the surgery on one of his big toes, coming back this year for the second surgery on his other foot. Now they are both pain free and have resumed their active lifestyle.
The implant is made from the same material that is used in contact lenses, and it is designed to mimic the natural cartilage found in the joint.
According to the physician who performed the surgeries on the Leinoffs, Andrew Elliott, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, “Technically known as hallus rigidus, [toe arthritis] is one of the most frequent arthritis problems we see as foot and ankle surgeons. It occurs when the cartilage in the joint starts to wear out, and it usually gets worse over time.”
Elliott added that patient selection is very important. Patients who qualify have advanced arthritis that does not respond to conservative treatments such as anti-inflammatory medication. Patients also must still have motion in their big toe, and the bones in their joint must be able to support the implant.
“In carefully selected patients, I’ve seen the synthetic cartilage work well. Many have gotten back to activities they enjoy,” he says. “Still, we caution patients not to engage in intense athletics or exercises that put extreme stress on their toe to ensure that the implant will last.”
Elliott told OTW that five-year data on the implant out of Canada shows good results, but there are still concerns with patients experiencing persistent pain and needing revision surgery because of implant wear. He said that he hasn’t experienced these problems with his patients however.
“Most of my concern is about patient selection. Not all people with hallux rigidus should get this procedure,” he said.
Has Cartiva been used on the knee joint?
Will this helps person who needs ankle replacement. Thank you
I had Cartiva surgery and chielectomy for hallux rigidus on my right great toe in April of 2017. I was so hopeful for this surgery to be a success. However, it was a failure The implant has sunk into the hole and a bone spur has grown between the joint space. I never regained any range of motion and my toe remains as painful as it was prior to surgery. I was offered a revision surgery or fusion, but I do not wish to endure another difficult recovery. There is a Cartiva patient group on Facebook, and many patients are reporting failure of their surgery.
In July of 2017 had the Cartiva synthetic cartilage surgery for hallux rigidus on my right toe. My surgery slso included a chielectomy. I have had a very positive response to this surgery. I still have some stiffness in this joint but next to no pain. I am able to play pickle ball and walk several miles, plus ride a bycycle 16 or miles
For 69 yr old woman I wouldn’t hesitate to have this surgery on my left toe if needed.
has it been used for thumbs?