Cartiva Toe Implant Defect Attorneys in Pittsburgh

Did Your Toe Implant Cause More Harm?

Did you receive a Cartiva big toe implant to help with your toe arthritis, but it only seemed to make things worse? If the toe implant was defective, then you might be able to file a defective medical device lawsuit against Cartiva and Wright Medical Group, its parent company. Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. and our Pittsburgh Cartiva toe implant defect lawyers can help. We have the experience, resources, and reputation needed to file and pursue claims and lawsuits against medical device manufacturers on behalf of clients who need help now more than ever.

Ready to talk to an attorney? Call (844) 383-0565 and schedule a free consultation.

What is the Cartiva Toe Implant?

Cartiva toe implants are designed to reduce the pain and immobility caused by hallux rigidus, a type of arthritis that can develop in the toes, especially the big toe. The implant is a small piece of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) that mimics cartilage. It is implanted between toe joints where cartilage has worn down, which can help some people walk more naturally and without pain again.

Cartiva Toe Implant Design Defects

Although the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Cartiva toe implant for its intended purposes and reported benefits, the implant did not seem nearly as reliable once it was available on the public medical market. Not long after it became a popular treatment option for hallux rigidus around 2018, reports began to add up of it failing and causing more harm than good for patients. Many patients complained that the Cartiva toe implant had worsened their mobility and pain. Some orthopedic specialists found that the device had begun to dig into the adjacent toe bones.

One study from researchers at the University of Foot & Ankle Institute found that the smooth surface of the PVA used to create the Cartiva toe implant might be the root cause of its defects. Without an irregularity to its surface, it can easily slip out of place as the patient heals and begins to walk again. Even a misplacement of just a few millimeters can be enough to cause serious walking issues and pain.

Overall, the estimated failure rate of the Cartiva toe implant is believed to be around 64%, which is well above the manufacturer’s reported 13.5% failure rate in its clinical studies. Surgeons nationwide have begun to look for alternative treatments for hallux rigidus as a result of the Cartiva implant’s unreliability.

Injuries Caused by Defective Toe Implants

In 2018, the FDA received more than 140 reports of Cartiva big toe implant injuries, such as:

• Chronic foot pain
• Infection
• Fracture near the implant
• Cysts
• Joint removal due to new damage
• Osteolysis (destruction of bone tissue)

Who Can File a Toe Implant Lawsuit?

Robert Peirce & Associates, P.C. is asking anyone who has suffered an injury due to a defective Cartiva toe implant device to speak with our team. The more people we hear from, the better.

You might be able to file a defective Cartiva toe implant lawsuit if:

• You have or had the Cartiva toe implant device at the suggestion of your medical provider.
• You have suffered worsened pain or immobility since the device was implanted; or
• You have needed to have the device removed, or your doctor recommended that it be removed.

With our help, you might be able to file a claim against Cartiva and Wright Medical Group that seeks damages for past and future medical treatment costs, past and future income loss, and past and future pain and suffering caused by the medical device’s defects. We know how to pursue every last penny owed to our clients.

Call Our Firm Now for Help with Toe Implant Lawsuits

Don’t deal with the complications of an injury claim or lawsuit on your own. Let our Pittsburgh Cartiva toe implant lawyers hear from you today. With us leading the way, you can be confident that your case is progressing well and staying on track. Whether we can secure a pre-suit settlement or need to go to trial, we are ready to fight for your right as an injured patient.

Talk to us now. Just dial (844) 383-0565 to begin.