Baker Legal Team launches Cartiva implant claim practice

Baker Legal Team said June 5, 2026, that it is opening a nationwide practice for patients alleging injuries from the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant, which Stryker recalled in 2024. The firm is targeting cases tied to federal MDL 3172 in Arkansas and says qualifying patients may seek free evaluations and contingency-based representation.

Why it matters: - Cartiva patients who allege implant failure now have a new nationwide legal intake option focused on the 2024 recall and the federal litigation track. - The practice could matter to patients who faced revision surgery, removal, persistent pain or fusion after choosing a motion-preserving alternative. - The federal MDL gives individual claims a centralized venue while keeping each case separate.

What happened: - Baker Legal Team announced a dedicated national practice on June 5, 2026, for claims involving the Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant. - The Boca Raton, Florida, firm was founded by Board Certified civil trial attorney Robert B. Baker. - The firm also launched a new website for Cartiva-related case inquiries. - Stryker recalled the Cartiva SCI on October 31, 2024. - The FDA classified the action as a Class II recall under Recall #Z-0598-2025. - Federal Cartiva cases were centralized on February 5, 2026, into MDL No. 3172 in the Eastern District of Arkansas before Judge Kristine G. Baker.

The details: - The Cartiva SCI is a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel device used to treat big toe arthritis. - The implant was marketed as a motion-preserving alternative to fusion surgery. - The recall covers all lots distributed from July 2016 through October 2024. - The FDA identified the recall cause as device design. - Plaintiffs allege the implant can subside into bone, displace, fragment and cause nerve damage. - Plaintiffs also allege the device often leads to revision surgery, removal or the fusion surgery it was meant to avoid. - The pivotal MOTION trial reported fewer than 10% revisions at two years. - Independent studies have reported much higher failure rates, including subsidence in 64% to 79% of patients in one 2020 study. - A 2024 comparative study reported a 29% reoperation rate. - Patients may qualify if they received a Cartiva implant between July 2016 and October 2024 and later experienced implant failure, persistent pain, nerve damage, revision, removal or fusion surgery. - The firm is accepting cases nationwide on a contingency basis. - The firm says no fee is charged unless there is a recovery. - Free case evaluations are available at Baker Legal Team and at the firm’s dedicated site, Toe Implant Lawyer.

Between the lines: - The new practice signals that Cartiva-related claims are moving from medical device complaints into organized mass tort litigation. - The contrast between the original trial results and later independent studies is likely to be central in evaluating the strength of individual claims. - The MDL structure could streamline discovery and pretrial work while preserving individual outcomes for each plaintiff.

What’s next: - Potential claimants will likely use the new intake process to determine whether their surgery date and injury history fit the recall window and MDL criteria. - Cartiva cases will continue moving through MDL 3172 in federal court in Arkansas. - Baker Legal Team says it will continue screening claims nationwide without upfront fees.

The bottom line: - Baker Legal Team is betting that the Cartiva recall and MDL will drive more injury claims from patients who say the implant failed after foot surgery.