Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
For most of us, mobility and our choice to come and go as we please without pain may be something we take for granted. However, 1 in 40 people suffer from big toe arthritis. You may be thinking, how can arthritis in one toe be possible? But it is more common than you may think. Our big toe holds up to 100% of our weight every time we take a step. With all of the movement and steps we take daily, the pressure on our big toe can cause the cartilage in the joint to wear down, leading to painful big toe arthritis.
With just one 35 minute procedure, Dr. Christina Kabbash, Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon and Foot and Ankle Specialist at Physicians Regional Medical Group can provide increased foot mobility and long-term pain reduction. CARTIVA® Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) is a quick 35-minute procedure where the damaged cartilage in the big toe is replaced with new synthetic cartilage that behaves like the natural cartilage of the big toe joint. This implant is the only FDA approved option that safely and effectively reduces arthritis pain while also improving your toe’s range of motion.
The implant used is made of a soft plastic-like substance and saltwater. These materials are combined and molded into a solid, slippery, and durable implant. 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, this device reduces pain while also allowing your joint to move how it is supposed to. Along with its quick procedure time, patients can typically bear weight immediately after the procedure, so no casts or crutches are necessary.
Along with the CARTIVA® SCI implant, Dr. Kabbash’s services at Physician’s Regional Pine Ridge include treatment for hammertoe and bunion reconstruction, sprains, or fractures of the foot and ankle joints, and tendon ruptures. She also treats Achilles tendon injuries, along with foot and ankle post-traumatic arthritis, including total ankle replacements. When it comes to the recovery process Dr. Kabbash says, “We take every step possible to minimize postoperative pain. Including utilizing blocks at the time of surgery, meticulous soft-tissue handling at surgery, and cooling units after surgery. This all helps decrease swelling and postoperative narcotic use.”
Christina Kabbash, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. is board-certified in orthopaedic surgery and
fellowship trained in orthopaedic foot and ankle trauma and reconstruction.
Dr. Kabbash’s office is located at Physicians Regional – Pine Ridge, 6101 Pine Ridge Rd, Naples, FL. Request an appointment online at PhysiciansRegionalMedicalGroup.com, or call 239-348-4221.
Sources:
• https://www.cartiva.net/what-is-cartiva/
• https://www.cartiva.net/what-is-cartiva/why-cartiva/
• https://www.cartiva.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/
AP-010750_EN_LR_LE-pt-brochure.pdf
