Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Michael J. Petrocelli, D.P.M., F.A.C.F.A.S., C.W.S.P.
Board Certified Ankle and Foot Surgeon and Board Certified Wound Care Specialist
A form of arthritis can cause painful, red, boney, growths; consequently, bunions can also be hereditary and run in families, especially in females, generation after generation. More women than men experience the painful boney growth on their big toe, known as a bunion, or Hallux Valgus. One of the leading exacerbations of a bunion is from wearing shoes that are too tight, too narrow or too high. All of this causes pressure on your toe joint, which in turn starts to ache, become fluid filled and can have boney growths.
You Have Options
For a conservative approach, many individuals will start out trying to alleviate their pain by wearing more comfortable shoes, or by wearing gel toe inserts that help keep the toes in the proper alignment. Icing the foot can help to tamp down inflammations, as well as taking NSAID’s (ibuprofen) as needed to lessen the discomfort.
When the conservative approach begins to stop working, which is not unusual, as most bunions fail to heal on their own, surgery is the definitive answer.
In traditional bunion surgery, the toe bone is cut in half, and part of the bone is removed. In many cases, there is a need to relieve tension on surrounding ligaments and tendons to try and realign the joint and bones. The total recovery can take a few months, but initially, you will be in a protective boot or cast for the first two to four weeks.
There is a Cutting Edge Procedure called
CARTIVA® SCI
Joint resurfacing with CARTIVA® SCI is simple, does not require significant removal of healthy tissue, and typically results in nominal surgical trauma and rapid recovery. It’s minimally invasive and uses unique instruments to deliver he synthetic cartilage to the damaged joint.
The CARTIVA® Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) device is comprised of an organic hydrogel polymer made of polyvinyl alcohol and saline. CARTIVA® SCI has a high water content, and its elastic and compressive mechanical properties are similar to articular cartilage. The device is intended to replace focal areas of painful damaged cartilage thereby reducing pain and maintaining range of motion in the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint.
CARTIVA® SCI is the first implant that behaves like the natural cartilage of your joint to relieve pain and improve mobility for patients suffering from big toe arthritis. WHY CARTIVA® SCI? Unlike fusion surgery, CARTIVA® SCI reduces joint pain without sacrificing your foot’s natural movement.
Your big toe joint is uniquely designed for movement and provides most of the force needed for walking and running. Unlike fusion surgery, which locks the joint in place, CARTIVA® Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) reduces pain while also allowing your joint to move how it’s supposed to.
Quick Procedure & Quick Recovery
Implanting CARTIVA® SCI is 40% faster than the alternative fusion surgery. There are no casts or crutches required. Patients can typically bear weight immediately after receiving CARTIVA® SCI.
Long Term Results
CARTIVA® SCI is proven to provide long-term pain reduction and increased foot mobility, with 97% reduction in pain demonstrated at almost six years post-procedure.
Source: https://www.cartiva.net/what-is-cartiva/why-cartiva/
Collier Podiatry
Dr. Michael Petrocelli has been practicing podiatric medicine for well over 20 years. He is an expert in his field and a leader to his peers. If you are experiencing any foot pain or foot conditions, please contact Collier Podiatry.
Their kind and well-trained staff are ready to answer your questions and concerns and get you back on your feet again.
Collier Podiatry is available to answer your questions and make your appointment.
Please visit their website at www.collierpodiatry.com, or call them at (239) 775-0019
NCH Countryside Commons
1715 Heritage Trail, Suite 204
Naples, FL 34112
Phone: (239) 775-0019
Fax: (239) 775-0219
