The first jury trial over the recalled Cartiva toe implant is set for February 2026 before a federal judge in West Virginia. Two more trials may take place later next year on behalf of injured Cartiva clients of Alex Davis Law Office.
New studies show alarmingly high failure rates for the Cartiva, which can result in severe pain, additional surgeries and other complications. The warning label for the Cartiva implant indicates the device has a failure rate of 13.5%. But more recent data suggests premature failure rates as high as 64%.
The legal team at Alex Davis Law Office represents dozens of clients with failed Cartiva implants, from California and Washington to New York, Florida, Ohio, Texas and many other states. Our law firm has filed suit against Cartiva in Pennsylvania and Maryland federal court. The case set for trial in West Virginia is on behalf of Bryan Hughes, whose Cartiva implant failed in 2023 less than four years after implantation. Cartiva is located in Georgia, but it is owned by Stryker, a major manufacturer of medical devices based in Michigan.
Cartiva injuries explained
Patients typically received the Cartiva due to hallux rigidus, a painful form of arthritis that affects about 2.2 million people in the United States. The Cartiva is made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel, which is supposed to act like natural cartilage. But many of those same patients are now getting toe fusion surgery due to failure of the cylindrical Cartiva device, which was recalled in October 2024. A common failure mechanism is subsidence, or gradual sinking of the cylindrical device into the bone (typically the first metatarsal head), reducing joint space and allowing bone-on-bone contact again. Failure symptoms for the Cartiva include the following:
Nerve damage and debilitating pain
Trouble maintaining balance
Difficulty walking
Bone on bone contact
Call us for a free case evaluation
If you or a loved one suffered injuries from a Cartiva toe implant, you may be entitled to financial compensation. To review your case, contact the lawyers at Alex Davis Law or call 502-882-6000 to schedule a free consultation today.
