More than 1 million people over the age of 50 are affected by arthritis in the big toe joint (aka the metatarsal phalangeal “MTP” joint). Hallux rigidus is a progressive disease and one of the most 
common forms of arthritis in the big toe. This disease often results in pain, stiffness and enlargement of the joint. Several surgical procedures, such as cheilectomies and osteotomies, are used to address the pain and stiffness in the early stages of this disease. However, once the arthritis reaches the late stages, the most common option has been a toe fusion.
While a toe fusion can be effective at alleviating pain, it also eliminates any movement in the toe so it can no longer bend. This lack of movement can create limitations on daily activities and types of shoes patients are able to wear. Permanent activity modifications and complications from incorrect rotation, positioning or even nonunion (a gap in the fused joint) have made this procedure less attractive to the younger, active patient.
With the growing oppostion for fusions, the Arthrosurface team is excited to announce the launch of its new modular toe restoration system, ToeMotion™. This system consists of the metatarsal based HemiCAP® implant and a metal baseplate with plastic insert for the opposing side of the joint. The difference between the Arthrosurface® total toe and other existing replacements is that it is implanted into the bone rather than on top, leaving natural bone to support the implant around its edges. This type of implant placement does not disturb any of the surrounding tissue attachments which are needed to maintain stability and lift-off for walking. The Arthrosurface ToeMotion™ is also the only toe replacement that is implanted with screws on both sides of the joint to provide rock solid fixation.
For patients looking to maintain an active lifestyle, receiving a fusion and never being able to move their toe again is not a viable or appealing option. With the Arthrosurface ToeMotion™, there is now a system that is minimally invasive, completely stable and motion preserving.
Last week, Arthrosurface performed its first ToeMotion™ surgeries with Dr. Carl Hasselman at UPMC in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Hasselman, who has been using the HemiCAP® system for almost a decade now and is the co-designer of the new ToeMotion™ system, combined the new phalangeal implants with the existing HemiCAP® metatarsal implants to create a toe joint restoration.
“I have known for quite some time that the screw based fixation of the HemiCAP® system is superior to any of the other press-fit solutions currently on the market. The instant fixation, immediate weight-bearing and early motion is critical to the excellent outcomes my patients have experienced with the Arthrosurface system over the past decade” said Dr. Hasselman.
Learn more about Arthrosurface Solutions for painful toes.
I am 44 years old. I was having some pain in both of my big toes for a few years. It finally got to the point I could not take it any more. I was sent for Xrays and was told I have arthritis i both big toes. That was about 3 years ago when they told me that. Fusion was what they brought up. I really did not like the sound of that. I have not been able to bend them for about 7 or 8 years now. I take pain meds daily because that is not the only place I have arthritis, But when you have to be on your feet all day to work ….
I am am really interested in more information on this
Hi Theresa,
I know a friend of mine has hemicap implants (just the head side) in both feet and is almost three years out and back to playing golf, working out and has dropped about 25-30lbs. He used to walk on the outside of his feet and couldn’t even push off his back foot to swing a golf club properly. It’s impressive.
Best of luck.
Pain at or near the area of the sesamoid bone 5 months after metatarsal component was implanted (1 October 2015). Surgeon did not install the phalangeal component.
Hi Brian – I am sorry to hear about your pain. Please email us at aarnone@arthrosurface.com to discuss further. Thank you
If I’ve already had one toe fused (Hallux rigidus), could I get the total toe replacement for the other toe or am I stuck with fusion for both toes. What are the characteristics that make one a candidate for the total toe replacement? Is there any way to reverse the toe fusion that was done on my first toe and implant the total toe replacement system or am I stuck with the toe fusion forever. I am 38 years old and was told toe fusion was pretty much the best/only alternative I had so I went ahead with the procedure (Aug 2015). My other toe joint is completely degraded and am slated for another toe fusion but then I found this website. Please advise!!!
Hello Kate – We just sent you an email. Thank you
I have the same question as Kate. Had one fused and other needs done as well – is fusion reversible and can the other toe be fixed with this alternative?
Hi Connie, Yes, we just sent you an email.
I have the same problem as Kate. I had fusion in both toes and I’m worse off thank beofre the surgeries. My feet are always in pain.
Please advise. Thank you so much.
Hi Sheryl, We sent you an email with additional information
Are implants available for the interphalangeal joint of the big toe?
Yes, our Toe HemiCAP Systems are implanted on the phalangeal side of the toe joints.
I live in Massachusetts and want to know if there are any surgeons in my state doing the arthrosurface toe motion joint replacement. I have just consulted an orthopedist outside of Boston who showed me on my x-rays that osteophytes are present in the area where the cheilectomy was done 2yrs ago. I am getting pain and swelling in this area
Hi Mary Ann, We just sent you an email with more information 🙂
I have been advised today that I need a fusion on my left big toe. I can send a picture of the X-ray. Is there anyone experienced in the Ft Smith Ar area or 250 miles out with you products?
Hi Joseph, We just sent you an email 🙂
Hi. Im 48 have pain in both big toes. Right is the worst and it started in my late 30s. Told I have arthritis in big toe and surgery is not an option as it doesn’t work as fusing I’d the only option (last resort). The orthopaedic surgeon said he can give a steroid injection into my tendon underneath foot and in the joint. No mention on the success rate, and I assume I am not going to be able to drive myself home afterwards. Also told to manage with painkillers. Painkillers do nothing for the pain, tried insoles, I’m a nurse on my feet all day sometimes it’s so painful it burns up my leg. I’m not even 50 can’t retire til I’m 67. It cripples me now and I walk on the outside of my foot which caused pain in my knee and hip. Is this really the only option I have. I didn’t want to wait until it was too late to operate. The pain makes me want to cry now. Please tell me you do these operations in the UK and how to access it??
Hi Annette – We just sent you an email directly. Thanks!
I am interested in the Arthrosurface, can you tell me if there are any recommended surgeons in the Sarasota, FL area?
Hi Mike – We just sent you an email!
I have OA in both joints of the Right big toe, does your solution work if installed in both joint of one toe at once
Thank you.
K
Hi there.. Is this available in the UK? Thanks
Hi Umesh, We just sent you an email 🙂
Can you recommend a surgeon near Westport, CT. who is doing this procedure?
Thanks
Hi James, We sent you an email with additional information.
I have Hallux Rigidus of the Big Toe. Is their a Doctor in the Northwest that does the
Arthrosurface Toe Motion as I live in Oregon?
Hi Toni, we emailed you additional information. thank you
How is the HemiCap better/different than Cartiva synthetic implant?
Hi Kayla, We sent you an email with additional information.
Hi, I would like to know who I might see for this procedure in Massachusetts.
I am six months post fusion of the big toe – still in pain, not walking properly. I have read about reversal of big toe fusion [unfusion] and replacement with Arthrosurface. Can you provide names of surgeons on the West Coast [California, Oregon, Washington] who are currently performing big toe unfusion procedures? thank you
I am 40 (men), profesional diver an very active in sport. I have Hallux Rigidus of the Big Toe. 5 months ago I had surgery (cheilectomy) and still cant move Big toe and still feel the pain. Can you make Arthrosurface after there is already made cheilectomy. I read that Cartiva Toe Implant for Arthritis is not posible after cheilectomy. Is it corect? Please can you give me your opinion an what I can do about it?
Hi Edi, We just sent you an email.
I’m a runner that up until recently , would run up 100 km per week, even with only about 10 degrees dorsiflexion with tolerable discomfort. However, Hallux Rigidus has progressed such that running is no longer possible, with visible osteophyt growth and increased pain. I was advised that fusion would be the most reliable option, and return to running possible with a “rocker sole” shoe ang a slight up lift in the fused toe. Is it possible to return to running with hemicap resurfacing of big toe?
Hi Gavin, We just sent you an email with additional information. thank you
I have had cheilectomy surgery in both big toes and the outcome has been totally negative. I still have pain and, in fact, have additional pain caused by nerve damage. The range of motion was not improved and is decreasing. Because my gait has changed significantly I am suffering just about about everywhere! I have had arthroscopic surgery on both knees and now, because of my feet and my knees, I am suffering with hip pain AND back pain. It’s a vicious cycle that seems to have no good end. I have been dealing with these problems for the past 15 years. I’ve gained significantly from being inactive, whereas before this problem reared its ugly head, I ran, biked, and then reduced to walking, I “fitness” walked energetically every night of the week, and felt great! I’m 65, can’t play with my grandsons because of the discomfort, and honestly do not look forward to the rest of life such as it is. At the time of the cheilectomy surgeries, I was encouraged to have fusion performed. It was rather offensive to have a young doctor tell me, at the age of 50, to have fusion performed and that I could wear rocker shoes from then on. I was an active 50 year old! I was also told that joint replacement in the big toe is seldom successful and doesn’t last long, necessitating further surgeries. So, please tell me who in the Indianapolis, IN or Illinois or Ohio areas performs this type of surgery and what the success statistics are like. Thanks. Judy
Hi Judy, We just sent you an email with more information.
Do you know if Boston Medical does this procedure?
Hi Rob, yes there are surgeons who use our products and operate at Boston Medical. We sent you an email with additional information
Hello, I am 51 and very active. I was just told that I am a candidate for replacement, what is the average recovery to be back in shoes? I know it’s vane but I don’t want to be wearing orthopedics at my son’s wedding
Hi Suzanne, We think its a very reasonable request to want to wear regular shoes at your son’s wedding! We just sent you an email with additional information.
hi I would like to know if they except all type of insurance for the toe motion modular and anywhere in new York. I have a friend that’s going for a plastic fusion.
Hi Evelyn, we just sent you an email with additional information
I had a chillectomy on my right foot for severe arthritis several years ago. The pain is back and more severe. Cannot be in my feet for very long and the toe is in constant pain. Is the total toe replacement an option for someone with severe arthritis or would the bone be too damaged for implants?
Hi Heather, We sent you an email
I was told by a podiatrist that I need either a fusion or a joint replacement in my big toe. He said that he could *try* to “clean up” the joint and remove all the bone spurs, but he won’t know the extent of the joint damage until he gets in there, and he would have a joint replacement at the ready, making the decision while operating. Is this a standard procedure for a podiatrist to work this way? He didn’t specify which type or brand of artificial joint he would be using either. When I asked his office staff for a rough estimate on cost for this surgery, their response was something to the effect of “We won’t know until after the surgery, and we bill insurance, and then you. We also can’t say what the surgery center and anesthesiologist fees will be.” That seems ridiculous to say that they don’t know what the cost will be. Can you recommend a surgeon in the St. Louis, MO area who uses this type of replacement?
Hi Dee, We just sent you an email with additional information. Thank you
Hi, lm a 46yo active male, l work long shifts on my feet and experience great pain in my big toe. l find that lm walking on the side of my foot which in turn gives me back and hip pain. l have been told its Hallux Rigidus and l have tried cortison and have been having shock wave treatmeant on my heel as its caused me to have plantar fasciitis. Nothing is working for me and the pain is quiet bad always now making it hard painful to even walk. l live in Australia, is there somewhere that you would recommend or would l be able to even have Arthrosurface surgery in the US.
Please help! Thank you
Hi Chris! We sent you an email with our Australian Distributors contact information.
hi
Could i also please have that Australian distributors contact information,
I Would appreciate it very much
cheers
BB
Hi Bilyana, Our local distributor in Australia is Allegra Orthopaedics.
Hi my name is Valentina I’m 18 years old. I come from Europe. Because chemotherapy destroyed my bones I have had an ankle fusion, a knee surgery and I also got a hip replacement. Now my doctor said that I need either a big toe fusion or a bigtoe jointrepkacement. Can you send me some information please? I want to know if a replacement is also pissible if you have osteonecroses. And if yes how efficient would it be because mei orthopedist said that the only successfull method eould be the fusion.
Dear Valentina, We emailed you directly. Keep an eye out.
My 36 year old active daughter, with 2 small kids has had AR since she was 13. Her Rheumatologist told her recently the toes will need to have rods put in soon and she won’t be able to bend her toes (perhaps all 10 ) one day. Is your product something she could use?
Hi Barbara, we emailed you additional information.
I had the hemi implant done in both big toes because of severe hallux rigidus 10 months ago. My toes do not bend (yes I did the bending exercises per my dr), and there is a good amount of pain in the upper part of both big toes when I walk. My dr has recommended I now do the total toe joint. I really don’t want to do anymore surgery and will this even solve the problem? I am so discouraged! How does this compare to the Cartiva? I just don’t know what to do. Please advise.
I live in Beaverton Oregon. Are there any podiatrist who are using your technique? I’m scheduled for an implant in July and would like this instead.
Hi Kathi, we sent you an email with additional information
My joint was removed and left to heal on its own. Very painful and lack of motion or the ability to wear a closed shoe is not acceptable to me. I live in southern california. I have been looking into the Cartiva implants, is this the same thing?
Hi Debbie, We sent you an email with additional information