Dr has ordered CT scan. Does anyone know of someone having to have their Cartiva implant removed?
Oh no, did you wear compression socks to hold down the swelling
I had Multiple Ace Wrap Bandages on at all times. Iced consistently, stayed off my feet and kept it elevated. MD delayed the removal of sutures by a week and he extended the length of time that I wasn't allowed to drive. Can't remember now... but either 4 to 6 weeks.
Physical therapist was never thrilled w/results. Lots of scar tissue at incision site and toe would make an odd "crunching" sound when I tried to bend it. Due to the swelling on the bottom of my foot I can't bend it very far. Finished 2 mos of therapy the end of July and her recommendation at that time was to wear an enclosed shoe instead of a sandal to control swelling, stay off my foot as much as possible and keep icing.
Throughout this entire recovery process (including PT) I continued to have pain off & on, swelling, achiness, & spasms. Dr had to break the bone for Akin Osteotomy, it's to be expected. And truly there were some bad days. But this, this has just become non-stop chronic pain and I am so sick of it. I meditate a lot & I have a high tolerance for pain, but after a while it wears on a person. I need to keep my weight down because I have spinal issues & I can't walk w/o my foot swelling up. I want my life back.
Had scan on Friday, hopefully CT results will be read out and I can pick them up at Hospital tomorrow.
Lola, I am in the same boat as you but I’m one year out now and considering having the Cartiva removed. What was your outcome?
I am 6mo out right now. I am going through the EXACT same thing. Yesterday I accidentally bumped the outer bone and I can not walk now.. the pain is excruciating. I had some pain before (and the crunching) ..including an aching spasm now and then..but this is almost intolerable. Not sure what Im going to do
I had my cartiva implant done in Oct 2016. By January I was good once I found comfortable shoes-men’s sketchers were the best. But I had crunching on outside of foot. Late summer of 2017-started feeling like my big toe and ball of foot were carrying all my weight. The doctor noticed my second and third toes were rising up so he gave me an insert to stretch them back in place. I was his second patient and he told me then that it happening in others. Shortly after those toes realigned themselves the pain in the ball of the toe intensified as did pain along the outside of toe. My go-to shoes became very painful. All winter long no shoe was comfortable. In April he told me about 50% of surgeries don’t work and declaired minea failure. I am scheduled to have it removed and the toe fused. I am not a happy camper. My other toe is in bad shape too. So eventually I have to deal with that one.
1st implant nov 2017, failed and replaced feb 2018, now scheduling another surgery as 2nd implant failed.
i never was able to have my fusion but nothing has changed except sandals got me thru summer not sure when ill do it as I'm in need of shoulder replacement how are you doing?
i had my surgery 2.5 months ago. Sometimes it feels like my toe joint is stuck and its almost like cracking the knuckle to bend it up it also hurts to bend it up towards the ceiling. Doc did not schedule physical therapy but i feel it needs to be assessed . Also the joint closest to my toe nail now burns and aches. Now looking for research on indicators of failure.
had CT SCAN orthopaedic surgeon recommending Cartiva removal and suggesting fusion anyone else in this predicament? my surgeon has stopped Cartiva implants all together too many failing and quickly i had 30 days of mild relief and back to daily chronic pain again
i haven't seen my surgeon in awhile as i needed shoulder replaced first. i do not know if my surgeon isn't doing it anymore. My husband had fusion for a removal of bunion and his recovery was way longer-6 weeks no weight - unlike where i could walk with boot on. i need both feet done... walking and finding comfortable shoes continue to be very difficult. and as someone else said i too need to walk to loose weight
I was told by my doctor that if the Cartiva implant didn't work, he could always do a fusion. I had my surgery on both toes on January 15, 2019. X-rays showed the implants looked good. I am still experiencing soreness. My doctor on March 4th told me it's normal for my feet to hurt. He said to give it another 6 to 8 weeks for the soreness to go away. I hope he's right. Joe
sure hope so!! many seem to have great success! i cant stand too much more pain my head is spinning trying to decide what to do my surgeon stopped doing Cartiva implantstoo many failing kinda scarytrying to wait this out and see i am having Mayo Clinic review my case in the meantime hope you continue to heel well!!!! take care
When mine failed I had pain with movement, or just throbing, and it made a clicking sound. So after 2 implants failed I now have a fusion. The fusion is painful and swollen and finding comfortable shoes is a task. I need a rocker sole like Hoka or Sketchers or a flat shoe like Alegria.
Sorry for all your pain! Do you know why your implants failed?? Im seeking some answers to why these are failing my surgeon is no longer doing Cartiva
I recommend Hoka shoes. Joe
I am in the same boat with the cartiva implant. I had the surgery 5/18 and my toe is worse now than before the surgery. It hurts all the time. I cannot wear normal shoes. I did physical therapy for 3 months 2 x's a week and it still is the same. I got a second opinion and the dr said toe fusion. This doesnt sound like a good option either. I've had a cat scan and an MRI and the bone is swollen and lots or scar tissue. If I were to get the Cartiva removed I would want someone who has done it before. I am beyond frustrated that I ever did the surgery. Its been a nightmare. looking for more opinions on next steps
I feel your pain. I've had to get my shoulder replaced first and get strong enough to handle 6 weeks on crutches for when i have my fusion. I am in week 10 of 6 months of PT. I need both toes done. Hubby had similar fusion for a bunion. 1.5 years later still tingles at times but he didnt have pain before hand.
Sandels work best for me as well as original style Crocs with wide foot bed.
Anyone in Baltimore area?
I had my surgery October 2018. I was scheduled just to have a bone spur shaved. Right before going under anesthesia, my doctor came in and said he was taking the Cartiva implant in in case I had less cartilage than thought. I had no time to ask questions and he knew from pre-surgery appointment that I did not want a fusion and failed to tell me that would be my only option if the implant failed. It's been over 6 months and I still have swelling and pain. It is worse than before surgery. I tried PT and it did get rid of the clicking noise but nothing else. I am so upset to be facing another surgery, especially a fusion because I was adamant I did not want one. It's my understanding now after researching I have no other option since he removed my remaining cartilage plus bone. I am in so much pain and can only wear a few shoes.
i hear your pain and am so sorry to hear of another cartiva failure. MY feet are awful too -both big toe knuckles are now very swollen. my husband had bunion surgery which is fusion . 18 months later still tingles but pain is gone. I will have to accept fusion this fall. Still recovering from total shoulder replacement Feb 19.