Were You Harmed by a Cartiva Big Toe Implant?
The Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant was used to treat arthritis in the big-toe joint. In 2024, the manufacturer initiated a recall after identifying higher-than-expected rates of complications, including implant removal, revision surgery, implant subsidence, displacement, pain, nerve damage, and fragmentation.
If you received a Cartiva® implant between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2024 and experienced complications, you may qualify for a legal claim.
What Is the Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant?
The Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant is a small implant made from polyvinyl alcohol and saline. It was placed in the joint at the base of the big toe to treat painful arthritis while preserving movement in the joint.
The FDA approved the implant in 2016 for certain patients with degenerative or post-traumatic arthritis, also known as hallux limitus or hallux rigidus. It was presented as an alternative to surgery that permanently fuses the big-toe joint.
On October 31, 2024, the manufacturer initiated a recall involving Cartiva® implants distributed from July 2016 through October 2024. According to the FDA recall record, patients may experience higher-than-expected rates of revision, implant removal, subsidence, displacement, pain, nerve damage, or fragmentation.
START WITH THE RIGHT NEXT STEP
Check If You Qualify
Answer a few questions about your Cartiva® implant, complications, and additional surgery.
Learn About the Recall
Review information about the Cartiva® recall, affected implants, and complications identified in the FDA recall record.
Request a Free Case Review
Provide information about your experience and have your potential claim reviewed at no initial cost.
HOW A CARTIVA CLAIM REVIEW WORKS
Every case is different. A legal review considers your implant, symptoms, medical treatment, timing, and available records.
- Answer the Eligibility Questions
- Provide Your Contact Information
- Review Your Medical History
- Discuss Your Legal Options
QUICK CARTIVA® CLAIM CHECK
See If You Meet the Current Criteria
You may qualify for a free case review if all of the following apply:
- You or a loved one received a Cartiva® big-toe implant
- The implant was placed between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2024
- You experienced complications from the implant
- Are not currently receiving Social Security Disability benefits
- Are not represented by another attorney or advocate
WHAT DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY
Implant Type and Placement Date
Medical records, surgical reports, implant cards, and billing records may help confirm that you received a Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2024.
Complications
The review will consider whether you experienced persistent pain, implant failure, movement, sinking, shrinkage, fragmentation, swelling, stiffness, nerve problems, weakness, or difficulty walking.
Medical Treatment and Additional Procedures
The review may consider any follow-up treatment you received, including imaging, physical therapy, injections, revision surgery, implant removal, or toe-fusion surgery. You may still request a case review if you have not undergone an additional operation.
Complications Associated With Cartiva® Implant Claims
People seeking a Cartiva® implant claim review may have experienced one or more of the following problems:
- Persistent or worsening pain
- Implant failure
- Implant loosening or movement
- Implant sinking or subsidence
- Implant shrinkage or fragmentation
- Swelling or stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Nerve damage
- Numbness or weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Reduced mobility
- Revision surgery
- Cartiva® implant removal
- Conversion to toe-fusion surgery
Experiencing a complication does not automatically establish that the implant caused an injury or that a legal claim is available. Each potential claim must be evaluated based on its individual facts, medical records, treatment history, and applicable law.
CARTIVA® IMPLANT RESOURCES AND UPDATES
Learn more about the Cartiva® recall, possible implant complications, medical records, and the claim-review process.
Cartiva Implant Recall: What Patients Need to Know
Patients who received a Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant may have questions about a recall involving the device, the risks that prompted it, and whether they need additional medical treatment. Cartiva Inc. initiated the...
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a Cartiva® implant?
The Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implant is a small implant made from polyvinyl alcohol and saline. It was placed in the joint at the base of the big toe to treat certain forms of painful arthritis while attempting to preserve movement in the joint.
Was the Cartiva® implant recalled?
Yes. The manufacturer initiated a recall on October 31, 2024. The FDA classified it as a Class II device recall. The listed products include Cartiva® Synthetic Cartilage Implants distributed from July 2016 through October 2024.
Why was the Cartiva® implant recalled?
According to the FDA recall record, patients implanted with the device may experience higher-than-expected rates of revision, removal, implant subsidence, displacement, pain, nerve damage, or fragmentation.
What symptoms should Cartiva® patients watch for?
The recall notice advised healthcare providers to monitor affected patients for new or worsening pain, difficulty walking, skin reactions, stiffness, swelling, or weakness of the big-toe joint.
Patients with health concerns should speak with a qualified medical professional. This website does not provide medical advice.
Do I qualify for a Cartiva® implant lawsuit?
Under the current screening criteria, you may qualify if:
- You or a loved one received a Cartiva® big-toe implant
- The implant was placed between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2024
- You experienced qualifying complications
- You completed revision surgery, implant removal, or toe-fusion surgery
- You are not currently represented by another attorney for the claim
Meeting these criteria does not guarantee that a law firm will accept your case or that compensation will be recovered.
Does requesting a case review cost anything?
There is no charge for the initial case review. If an attorney accepts a case, the terms of representation, attorney fees, and case expenses should be explained in a written agreement.
Take the First Step Toward a Cartiva® Claim Review
If you received a Cartiva® big-toe implant between July 1, 2016 and October 31, 2024 and later underwent revision, implant-removal, or toe-fusion surgery, you may qualify for a free case review.