Most Cartiva lawsuits center on one event: the surgery to remove a failed implant and salvage the joint. Because the implant sits inside the bone, removing it leaves a defect that must be filled before the joint can be fused. That makes revision more involved, more expensive, and slower to recover from than a primary fusion would have been.
What revision typically involves
Removal and debridement. The hydrogel plug is extracted along with any fragments and damaged bone. Surgeons frequently report more bone loss than imaging suggested.
Bone grafting. The cavity is filled with graft — from the patient's own body (often the heel or hip), a donor, or synthetic material. Autograft adds a second surgical site and its own recovery.
Fusion. The joint is fixed with plates and screws. Bone must heal across the graft, which takes longer than a standard fusion.
Patients who chose Cartiva to avoid fusion frequently end up with a fusion that is harder, longer, and less predictable than the one they turned down. That gap — between the outcome promised and the outcome delivered — is what a claim measures.
Direct2Attorney · Claim GuidanceRecovery and cost
Typical recovery
Varies by patient- Non-weight-bearing for 6–8 weeks or more
- Boot and progressive loading for months
- Fusion confirmation on imaging at 3–6 months
- Risk of non-union requiring further surgery
Costs that add up
Documented damages- Surgery, anesthesia, facility, and graft costs
- Physical therapy and durable equipment
- Lost wages during non-weight-bearing period
- Permanent motion loss and activity limits
Documenting for a claim
Keep the operative reports for both the original implant and the revision. The revision report, in particular, describes the condition of the implant and the extent of bone loss — often the most persuasive single document. Preserve imaging from before and after. Track therapy visits, out-of-pocket costs, missed work, and daily limitations in a simple log. If the explanted device was retained, note where it is.
Patients who cannot yet have revision
Some patients are told revision must wait — for bone healing, for other health conditions, or for scheduling. Ongoing pain and limitation while waiting are also compensable, and the anticipated surgery can be included as future damages. Do not assume a claim requires that the surgery already happened.
What this means if you're considering a claim
Revision surgery, or a documented need for one, is the strongest foundation for a Cartiva claim. A free review can evaluate your records, explain how injury tiers typically work in device litigation, and connect you with a participating firm in the MDL.
Had or facing a Cartiva revision?
Free, confidential review by a participating firm.
Common Questions
Some surgeons use alternative implants; fusion is the most common salvage. The choice is medical, and either can support a claim.
Non-union is a recognized complication of revision and adds to damages.
Yes. Medical expenses are recoverable, and insurers may assert reimbursement rights that a firm manages.
Experts are retained by the firms handling the MDL. Your treating records are the foundation.
No. Direct2Attorney’s review is free, and participating law firms typically work on contingency, meaning fees are generally paid only if there is a recovery. Confirm fee terms in writing with the firm.
