February 5, 2026: In a significant victory for patients injured by defective toe implants, the United States Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has officially ordered the consolidation of all federal Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (SCI) lawsuits. 

By creating MDL No. 3172, the court has paved the way for a more efficient path to justice for individuals suffering from failed toe implants.

Why This Consolidation Matters for You

For many of our clients, the Cartiva SCI—a hydrogel implant meant to treat big toe arthritis—has led to persistent pain, migration of the device, and significant bone loss. This new MDL (Multidistrict Litigation) is a positive development for several reasons:

• Consistency: It prevents different judges from making conflicting rulings on the same legal and factual issues.
• Efficiency: Discovery and evidence-gathering will be streamlined, meaning we can move toward a resolution faster than if cases remained scattered across the country.
• Unified Voice: Victims are no longer fighting alone; their claims are joined together to hold the manufacturer accountable for alleged defects and insufficient labeling.

The Road to Justice: Eastern District of Arkansas

The JPML has selected the Eastern District of Arkansas as the transferee district for this litigation. This location is strategically ideal as it is near Memphis, Tennessee, where the corporate successor to Cartiva—Wright Medical Group—was headquartered.

The litigation has been assigned to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker. Judge Baker is a highly experienced jurist with a proven track record of managing complex multidistrict litigation with both diligence and fairness. We are confident that her leadership will ensure these cases proceed on a prudent and effective course toward trial or settlement.

Have Questions? Wilentz is Here to Help

If you or a loved one had a Cartiva toe implant that failed, requiring a revision surgery or a joint fusion, this MDL is a major step forward for your case.

Joshua S. Kincannon and the medical device injury team at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A. are actively investigating these claims. We invite you to contact us today to discuss how this transfer order affects your rights.

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