We’ve been blogging about the Cartiva implant lately since it is something that Dr. Silverman offers at his clinic. He’s one of only a handful of physicians in Minnesota who perform the procedure, and he actually performed the first implant in Minneapolis and Burnsville.
Because of this, we always like to share the recent findings on Cartiva and help spread the word about how it can help many people regain range of motion and decrease pain in their big toe. So today, we take a closer look at some recent findings about the implant.
Cartiva Study
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the device, Cartiva is a biocompatible polymer implant that mimics the motion of a healthy big toe joint. Also, since it is a very durable device, the vast majority of patients who undergo the operation do not need a follow up operation due to wear and tear down the road.
For the most recent study, which was published in Foot and Ankle International, researchers implanted the device in 27 patients and tracked their results over the next five years. Pain scores were taken both before surgery, during rehab, and at the five-year mark. Here’s a look at what they found:
- Patients experienced a 91 percent mean reduction in pain after five years.
- Patients experienced a 128 percent mean improvement in sporting activities.
- Patients experienced a 42 percent improvement in range of motion.
- The majority of patients reported a high level of satisfaction with treatment.
According to lead author Dr. Timothy Daniels, “96 percent of patients said they would choose to undergo the procedure again.”
So if you are dealing with pain in your big toe joint, or you’ve already been diagnosed with toe arthritis and you are wondering if you are an ideal candidate for the Cartiva implant, reach out to Dr. Silverman’s office. He will sit down with you and go through all your options to come up with the best treatment plan to fit your situation.