On October 31, 2024, Stryker issued a Class II recall of the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant — all four sizes, everything distributed since July 2016. Class II means the device may cause temporary or medically reversible harm. It is a notification to surgeons and distributors, not to patients. Thousands of people walking around on a recalled implant have no idea. This awareness guide is for them and their families; it is not medical advice.
Why the implant fails
The device is a hydrogel — mostly water, held in a polymer matrix. Plaintiffs allege that under the repeated load of walking, the material deforms and degrades, the cylinder subsides into the softer bone beneath it, and the bone around it erodes. Once that happens, the joint loses the support the implant was meant to provide, and revision typically means fusion with bone grafting to fill the defect.
Symptoms that suggest failure
Return of pain after initial improvement. The most common report. Pain that had eased returns, often deeper and more constant than the original arthritis.
Grinding, clicking, or instability. A sense that the joint is catching or giving way. Some patients can feel the implant shift.
Swelling and reduced motion. The joint becomes stiffer rather than more mobile, defeating the reason for choosing the implant over fusion.
Visible change. The toe angling differently or the joint looking enlarged.
If you have the implant and any of these symptoms, ask for weight-bearing X-rays. Subsidence and bone loss are visible on plain films; a CT shows more. Do not wait for the surgeon who placed it to raise the recall.
Direct2Attorney · Patient AwarenessWhat the recall does and doesn't do
The recall does
Manufacturer action- Stop further distribution of the device
- Notify surgeons and distributors
- Create a defined population of affected patients
- Support litigation over pre-recall disclosures
The recall does not
Patient reality- Require removal of implanted devices
- Guarantee patient notification
- Pay for monitoring or revision
- Admit the device is defective
What to do now
Confirm from your operative report that your implant was Cartiva. Ask your current foot and ankle specialist — who need not be the original surgeon — for imaging and an evaluation in light of the recall. Keep records of symptoms, appointments, and any activity limitations. If a revision is recommended, ask that the explanted device be preserved.
What this means if you're considering a claim
A recalled implant with documented failure is the core of a Cartiva claim. Federal cases are consolidated and accepting new plaintiffs. A free review can confirm whether your situation fits and what your state’s deadline looks like given the recall date.
Have the implant and symptoms?
Get evaluated medically, then find out your legal options. Free, confidential review.
Common Questions
That is a medical decision. The recall does not require removal, and revision surgery has its own risks. Discuss with your specialist.
Consider a baseline X-ray so future changes can be measured. Know the symptoms and keep your records.
The U.S. recall addressed the big-toe implant, which is its approved use here.
Not directly. Monitoring and revision costs are recoverable damages in a successful claim.
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.
