With Cartiva, patients can experience lasting pain relief from big toe arthritis.

If you have arthritis, then you know how it can limit your ability to move without pain. Nonsurgical treatment methods may not work for every patient, especially patients with advanced arthritis.

Cartiva® SCI Cartilage Replacement is a safe and highly effective treatment that is minimally invasive. Patients who want to find relief from big toe arthritis after trying nonsurgical treatments may consider Cartiva as the next step.

Learn more about the benefits of Cartiva and the procedure below.

Treating big toe arthritis with Cartiva®

What is big toe arthritis?

Big toe arthritis, or hallux rigidus, is a common arthritic condition. It affects the joint at the base of the big toe known as the hallux metatarsal phalangeal (MTP). 

If you have arthritis in your big toe, know that you are not alone: nearly three million people in the United States have big toe arthritis, and it’s more common in women. It usually develops after the age of 30 and affects 1 in 40 people over the age of 50.

The big toe allows us to walk, jump, crouch, and run, providing most of the force needed for these movements. With big toe arthritis, everyday movement can become a painful experience.

Causes

While the causes of hallux rigidus are unexplained, there are risk factors that could lead to arthritis in the big toe:

• Foot anatomy plays a role in developing arthritis. People with long or elevated first MTPs are more likely to have big toe arthritis later in life.
• Additionally, past traumas to the big toe, such as sprains or turf toe, can lead to arthritic symptoms. Ballet dancers are especially at risk of big toe arthritis because of the constant flexion of the big toe.
• Continual stress and degeneration of the joint, such as repeating stubbing or conditions like gout, can also cause arthritis by breaking down the cartilage in the joint.

Symptoms

Pain in the big toe joint is the most common and noticeable symptom of big toe arthritis, especially when the joint is moved up and down. Other symptoms include:

• Stiffness of the joint
• A bump at the top of the joint that swells over time
• Difficulty wearing shoes that put pressure on the joint
• Limping from pain
• Clicking, popping, or grinding noises as the cartilage wears away
• Heat surrounding the joint from inflammation

If you have tried nonsurgical treatment options such as anti-inflammatory medication, steroidal injections, or activity modification and still have not found relief from big toe arthritis, you may be a candidate for Cartiva.

What is Cartiva?

Cartiva is an implant constructed out of polyvinyl alcohol and saline to create a durable implant that mimics healthy cartilage in the big toe for arthritis treatment.

Patients who experience pain and mobility issues after trying nonsurgical methods may find relief from big toe arthritis with Cartiva.

Benefits

Cartiva is highly successful. Studies show that 93% of patients who receive the Cartiva implant are satisfied with their procedure.

The benefits of treating your big toe arthritis with Cartiva are extensive:

• Pain reduction: 97% of patients experience lasting pain relief according to Cartiva’s studies.
• Quick procedure: Receiving a Cartiva replacement is a same-day procedure and takes less than an hour.
• Fast recovery: Patients experience a faster recovery process compared to traditional surgery for big toe arthritis, and some patients can bear weight on their foot immediately.
• Improves mobility: Cartiva restores the mobility of your big toe by replacing the damaged cartilage.
• Safe: This procedure is FDA-approved and has minimal risks.

Cartiva allows patients to return to their favorite activities without big toe joint pain.

Procedure

The procedure for Cartiva big toe joint cartilage replacement takes about 35 minutes. It is minimally invasive, requiring only a 2-inch incision at the top of the big toe joint.

Dr. Frankel will remove bone to create a small hole to insert the Cartiva implant. It does not require adhesive substances such as glue to hold the implant in place.

The incision will be closed with sutures and the area will be bandaged. Once you are ready to go, you will receive a surgical boot.

The Cartiva implant is designed to last a lifetime so you can walk out of the operation room with confidence.

Schedule a consultation with Dr. Frankel today.

Call Frankel Foot & Ankle to schedule a consultation to determine if Cartiva is the right treatment for you. Patients with advanced toe arthritis and patients who have not benefitted from other treatment options are encouraged to call.

Don’t let big toe arthritis keep you still; get the Cartiva implant to find big toe joint pain relief and move freely.

Frankel Foot & Ankle is your destination for foot pain relief.

Dr. Frankel founded Frankel Foot & Ankle to provide patients in Pennsylvania, New York, and New Jersey tristate area with the latest advances in diagnostic technology and treatment for sports medicine conditions, foot and ankle trauma response, and innovative surgical and regenerative approaches. Contact Frankel Foot & Ankle today.