More patients are filing Cartiva implant lawsuits due to serious complications following the implantation of the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI). While the implant was designed to relieve big toe arthritis pain and preserve mobility, many patients instead report worsening symptoms and the need for more invasive follow-up surgeries
If you’ve had complications from a Cartiva implant, you may be entitled to compensation. The Cartiva implant attorneys at Ferrer Poirot Feller can explain your rights and help you start your claim. We understand the physical and emotional toll of a failed medical device and are here to guide you through the legal process.
With the experience and resources to handle complex implant cases, Ferrer Poirot Feller is ready to investigate your situation and pursue compensation for the harm you’ve suffered.
To schedule a free, confidential consultation, call (888) 485-8844.
How Our Cartiva Implant Lawyers Help Patients File Lawsuits
Taking legal action over a failed Cartiva implant means holding a major medical device manufacturer accountable — a task that demands a law firm experienced in complex product liability litigation. Since 1981, Ferrer Poirot Feller has represented individuals in Dallas and across the United States in cases involving harmful medical devices and manufacturer negligence.
Our team is well-versed in both the scientific and legal aspects of these claims and is prepared to build a strong case on your behalf. We start by carefully reviewing your experience with the implant, including the complications you have encountered and the impact those issues have had on your health and quality of life.
After learning the details of your case, our legal team conducts a comprehensive investigation into the product and its manufacturer. This investigation often includes a review of clinical trial data, marketing materials, and internal company documents obtained through the legal discovery process.
We also gather your complete medical records, whether your surgery took place at a Dallas-area facility such as Baylor University Medical Center or at a hospital elsewhere in the country. These records help establish a clear timeline of your treatment and document the complications caused by the implant.
We also collaborate with independent orthopedic surgeons and biomechanical experts who offer objective evaluations of the device’s performance. They clarify how and why the device failed in your specific case, and their insights strengthen the medical and technical foundation of your claim.
At Ferrer Poirot Feller, our defective medical device lawyers offer representation on a contingency basis through our No Fee Guarantee. There are no upfront costs for our services, and you will not owe attorney’s fees unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Our goal is to make experienced legal help accessible while allowing you to focus on your recovery.
What Is the Cartiva Implant and Why Are Lawsuits Being Filed?
The Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) is a small, gel-like medical device used to treat hallux rigidus. This condition is a form of arthritis that causes stiffness and pain in the joint at the base of the big toe.
The implant is made from a plastic material similar to what is used in soft contact lenses. It is designed to replace damaged cartilage and provide cushioning to the joint, with the goal of relieving pain while maintaining natural movement.
Before the Cartiva implant became available, the standard treatment for advanced hallux rigidus was fusion surgery, also known as arthrodesis. This procedure permanently connects the bones in the joint to eliminate pain, but it also stops the joint from bending. The Cartiva implant was promoted as an option that could reduce pain while still allowing natural joint movement.
Ownership of the device has changed over time. It was originally developed by Cartiva, Inc., later acquired by Wright Medical, and is now sold by Stryker Corporation. Despite being advertised as a breakthrough solution, many patients and doctors have reported that the Cartiva implant does not perform as well as promised. A growing number of patients say the implant fails within just a few years, sometimes causing pain, swelling, limited movement, or the need for revision surgery.
Because of these issues, many patients have filed Cartiva implant lawsuits. These legal claims often state that the implant is a defective medical device and that patients were not told how often the implant was failing in real-world use.. Individuals who experienced complications may be seeking compensation for additional medical expenses, lost mobility, and ongoing discomfort.
If you are dealing with problems after receiving this implant, speaking with defective medical device lawyers may help. They can review your case, explain your rights, and discuss your legal options.
Complications and Injuries Linked to Failed Cartiva Toe Implants
The main concern in the growing number of Cartiva implant lawsuits is the device’s high failure rate. When the implant does not function as intended, it often fails to relieve the original arthritis pain and can lead to even more serious complications.
Many patients end up needing the fusion surgery they hoped to avoid, and by that time, the joint is often more damaged than it was before the implant. Commonly reported complications include:
- Device Failure and Fracture: The implant may break, shrink, or crack under the stress of everyday movement, ultimately failing to function as intended.
- Implant Subsidence: This is a common and serious problem where the implant sinks into the bone of the toe (the metatarsal head). This can cause intense pain and bone damage.
- Worsened Pain and Inflammation: Instead of providing relief, many patients report that their pain becomes significantly worse after the device fails.
- Bone Loss (Osteolysis): The body’s reaction to the failed implant or microscopic debris from the device can cause the surrounding bone tissue to dissolve, further destabilizing the joint.
- Loss of Mobility: As the joint deteriorates due to the implant failure, patients experience increased stiffness and a significant loss of range of motion.
- Required Revision Surgery: The ultimate result of most Cartiva failures is the need for a second surgery to remove the device. This revision surgery is often a complex arthrodesis procedure to fuse the joint.
The results many patients have experienced do not reflect what the manufacturer told surgeons and patients to expect. This difference between the advertised benefits and the actual outcomes is a major reason the company is now facing legal challenges.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Cartiva Implant Lawsuit?
Medical device companies have a legal duty to make sure their products are safe and function properly when used as intended. If a company sells a product with hidden risks or serious flaws, it may be held financially responsible for the harm that results. This is part of a legal area known as product liability.
Many Cartiva implant lawsuits are built on claims that the manufacturer failed to meet its responsibilities. These cases are typically based on the following legal theories.
Defective Cartiva Implant Design: Legal Grounds for Lawsuits
A major claim in these lawsuits is that the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant was defectively designed. Patients and attorneys argue that the material and shape of the implant cannot handle the stress placed on the big toe joint. This can lead to early failure, shifting of the device, and loss of joint support.
Failure to Warn: Manufacturer Did Not Disclose Known Cartiva Implant Risks
Another key issue is the alleged failure to warn doctors and patients about how often the implant was failing in everyday use. Lawsuits claim that the manufacturer had access to post-market data showing that the device failed more often than it did in early clinical trials. By not updating safety warnings, the company may have put patients at greater risk.
Breach of Warranty in Cartiva Implant Claims
The manufacturer made public claims about the durability of the Cartiva implant and its ability to preserve motion in the toe joint. When the implant fails to meet these promises, it may be considered a breach of warranty, which is a legal claim that can support financial compensation.
Holding the Manufacturer Liable in a Cartiva Implant Lawsuit
Together, these legal arguments suggest that the company continued to promote the implant despite knowing the risks to patients. Patients who suffered harm are working with defective medical device lawyers to seek justice and compensation through Cartiva implant lawsuits.
FDA Approval vs Real-World Failures of the Cartiva Implant
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for regulating the safety and effectiveness of medical devices. The Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) received FDA approval under the Premarket Approval process, which is the agency’s strictest review.
Cartiva’s approval was based on clinical trial data comparing the implant to traditional toe fusion surgery. Although the original study showed favorable short-term results, many lawsuits argue that the data presented to the FDA and shared with physicians painted an incomplete picture of the implant’s performance.
More recent follow-up studies and real-world outcomes have shown that the implant may fail far more often than early clinical data suggested. Many patients required additional surgeries due to problems such as pain, swelling, implant movement, or collapse.
Manufacturers are required to continue monitoring their devices after approval and to report serious problems to the FDA. Thousands of adverse event reports involving the Cartiva implant have been submitted to the FDA’s MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database. These reports document a wide range of complications, including device failure, joint subsidence, and the need for revision surgery.
Despite this growing body of post-market data, lawsuits claim that Wright Medical and its successor, Stryker, continued to promote the device aggressively. They allegedly failed to update their product warnings to reflect the true risks associated with the Cartiva implant.
Our Process for Building a Strong Cartiva Implant Lawsuit
Our team of experienced defective medical device lawyers works carefully to build a case that holds the manufacturer legally responsible for the harm caused by a failed Cartiva implant. We approach each case with the goal of proving liability and recovering compensation for your injuries.
Step One: Free Case Review and Eligibility Assessment
The process begins with a free and confidential consultation. During this meeting, we will review your medical history, the details of your hallux rigidus diagnosis, your Cartiva implant procedure, and any complications you have experienced since the surgery. This initial evaluation helps us determine whether you may have a valid claim.
Step Two: Gathering Evidence for Your Cartiva Implant Lawsuit
Building a strong Cartiva implant case starts with gathering the right evidence. Our team will collect key documents such as:
- Your full medical records from treating doctors and surgeons
- Records from your initial implant surgery and any revision surgeries
- Product information for your specific implant, often included as a sticker in surgical notes
- Proof of financial losses, including medical bills, lost income, and related expenses
Step Three: Expert Testimony from Medical and Engineering Specialists
We partner with respected experts to support your claim. Orthopedic surgeons can detail how the implant failure impacted your health and why revision surgery was required. Biomechanical engineers may explain why the device may not have held up under normal use.
Cartiva Implant MDL: What It Means for Your Lawsuit
Due to the number of patients experiencing problems with this device, many Cartiva implant lawsuits may eventually be consolidated into a Multidistrict Litigation (MDL). An MDL is a legal process that combines similar lawsuits before a single federal judge, streamlining pretrial procedures such as discovery and expert review.
Unlike a class action, an MDL keeps each plaintiff’s case separate. You will have your own attorney, and any settlement or jury award is based on your specific injuries and losses.
Our firm has experience handling large-scale product liability litigation. If the Cartiva implant cases are consolidated into an MDL, we are prepared to represent clients throughout every step of the process.
What Compensation Can You Receive in a Cartiva Implant Lawsuit?
If your Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant failed and caused serious complications, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Cartiva implant lawsuits are intended to help patients recover the costs and personal losses caused by a defective medical device.
Under product liability law, compensation may include both economic damages and non-economic damages based on the harm you have suffered.
Economic Damages in Cartiva Implant Claims
Economic damages include the financial losses caused by the failure of the Cartiva implant. These may cover both past and future medical expenses. You may be able to recover the cost of your original implant surgery, follow-up appointments, diagnostic scans, and any revision procedures. If you require ongoing physical therapy or additional medical care, those future costs can also be included in your claim.
You may also be entitled to compensation for lost income. If you were unable to work during your recovery or needed time off for multiple procedures, those missed wages can be recovered.
In cases where the implant failure has permanently affected your ability to work, you may seek compensation for the loss of future earnings. This is sometimes referred to as loss of earning capacity.
Pain, Suffering, and Emotional Damages from Cartiva Implant Failure
Non-economic damages address the personal and emotional impact the failed implant has had on your life. Many patients experience ongoing physical pain, not only from the original arthritis but also from the failed device and the recovery process after additional surgery.
They may also include emotional distress from repeated medical setbacks and the challenges of prolonged recovery. Feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression are common in patients dealing with device failure and prolonged recovery.
If your condition has kept you from enjoying regular activities such as walking, exercising, or spending time with others, you may be compensated for no longer being able to enjoy the activities you once did.
Take Legal Action for Cartiva Implant Injuries
You chose the Cartiva implant to improve your mobility and reduce your pain. Instead, many patients were left with even greater health problems and a need for additional surgery. These lawsuits seek to hold manufacturers accountable for exposing patients to unsafe products.
If you were harmed by this device, you are not alone. Taking legal action can help protect others and may provide the support you need to move forward.
The defective medical device lawyers at Ferrer Poirot Feller have represented injured consumers since 1981. We have the knowledge, experience, and resources to take on large manufacturers and pursue fair results for our clients.
To schedule a free consultation, call us at (888) 485-8844 or fill out our online form. We are available 24/7, and you will not pay any legal fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.