Good to hear from you Jay! Not here as often either ... We must go back over 10 years now.
Cartiva looks promising with recent studies (I think they go to about 5 years out now). My organization (large, 650+ physician multi hospital group) does not approve it yet (nor do many insurance payors) since still "investigational". Also, the company that makes/markets it is relatively small and the price is high. Word is they are looking to be acquired/bought by a larger player. It will likely become more readily available then.
Easy enough to do (basically a cheilectomy as you eluded to with an extra step). I'm only interested in that ALL implants fail eventually and I need to have a plan for people when they do. Total joints do great (even if they fail and need replaced again) in the hip and knee. So-so for shoulders and ankles. Not so great for the big toe joint. When this fails, fusion after is much easier. The real question is whether or not it will provide some increased benefit over a cheilectomy and that is hugely patient dependent.
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Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD
Cartiva looks promising with recent studies (I think they go to about 5 years out now). My organization (large, 650+ physician multi hospital group) does not approve it yet (nor do many insurance payors) since still "investigational". Also, the company that makes/markets it is relatively small and the price is high. Word is they are looking to be acquired/bought by a larger player. It will likely become more readily available then.
Easy enough to do (basically a cheilectomy as you eluded to with an extra step). I'm only interested in that ALL implants fail eventually and I need to have a plan for people when they do. Total joints do great (even if they fail and need replaced again) in the hip and knee. So-so for shoulders and ankles. Not so great for the big toe joint. When this fails, fusion after is much easier. The real question is whether or not it will provide some increased benefit over a cheilectomy and that is hugely patient dependent.
____________________________________
Fatigue is biochemical, not biomechanical.
- Andrew Coggan, PhD