The legal team at Alex Davis Law won a key motion this week, as a panel of judges ruled in favor of consolidating lawsuits involving the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant in a single federal court. On February 5, 2026, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (“Panel”) ruled that lawsuits involving the recalled Cartiva toe device should be handled as part of multidistrict litigation (“MDL”). The MDL will be in the Eastern District of Arkansas.
Why the Cartiva MDL Was Created
Our law firm filed the motion for the MDL in October, arguing that the growing number of patients seeking compensation for their failed Cartiva devices required a coordinated litigation in front of a single judge. The Panel agreed, finding that the Cartiva lawsuits raise the same key questions, including:
- Was the Cartiva implant defective?
- Was it properly tested before being sold?
- Were doctors and patients warned about the risks?
- What did the company tell the FDA?
- What led to the October 2024 recall of the device?
By putting the cases together, the court can handle evidence and rulings more efficiently, preventing “inconsistent rulings” and serving to “conserve judicial resources”. All federal Cartiva cases will now move forward before Chief U.S. District Judge Kristine G. Baker. An MDL is different from a class action. While the cases are pooled in front of a single judge for pretrial proceedings, they remain individual lawsuits that will be evaluated on their own merits. Some cases will be stronger than others, and if the cases settle the values will be based on the facts and injuries of each plaintiff.
What This Means for Patients
The Cartiva implant was used to treat arthritis in the big toe. It was sold as a way to reduce pain and keep the joint moving. Many patients say the implant did the opposite. And studies show that as many as half of all Cartiva patients have experienced device failure, in most cases requiring them to have a second surgery to fuse the bones in the toe joint together.
Cartiva Recalled on October 31, 2024
The Cartiva implant was recalled on October 31, 2024. The recall came after reports that the device failed inside patients’ joints. The device went on the market in 2016 and was used in about 20,000 surgeries. Many people say the implant caused “persistent pain and limited range of motion following implantation” requiring another surgery to remove the implant, and in most cases, permanently fusing the big toe joint.
Free Consultation
If you or a loved one received a Cartiva implant and later had worsening pain or needed revision surgery, you may be entitled to financial compensation. It is critical to consult attorneys who specialize in dangerous and defective medical devices, and, in fact, we were one of the first to file a Cartiva lawsuit in the nation. Our law firm also currently represents more individuals with filed Cartiva toe implant lawsuits than any other firm in the nation. To review your case, contact the lawyers at Alex Davis Law or call 502-882-6000 to schedule a free consultation today.