Description
ARTICULAR CARTILAGE DAMAGE
Articular cartilage damage may present as focal lesions or as more diffuse osteoarthritis (OA). Cartilage is a biological hydrogel that is comprised mostly of water with collagen and glycosaminoglycans and does not typically heal on its own. OA or focal articular cartilage lesions can be associated with substantial pain, loss of function, and disability. OA is most frequently observed in the knees, hips, interphalangeal joints, first carpometacarpal joints, first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint, and apophyseal (facet) joints of the lower cervical and lower lumbar spine. OA less commonly affects the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and ankle. Knee OA is the most common cause of lower-limb disability in adults over age 50. OA of the MTP joint with loss of motion (hallux rigidus) can also be severely disabling due to pain in the “toe-off” position of gait. An epidemiologic study found that OA of the first MTP joint may be present in as many as 1 in 40 people over the age of 50 (Gould, 1980).

Treatment
Conventional treatment options for painful focal damaged articular cartilage of the knee include débridement, abrasion techniques, osteochondral autografting, and autologous chondrocyte implantation. Débridement involves the removal of the synovial membrane, osteophytes, loose articular debris, and diseased cartilage and is capable of producing symptomatic relief. Subchondral abrasion techniques attempt to restore the articular surface by inducing the growth of fibrocartilage into the chondral defect. Diffuse OA of the knee, hip, or ankle may be treated with joint replacement.

Early-stage OA of the first MTP is typically treated with conservative management, including pain medication and change in footwear. Failure of conservative management in patients with advanced OA of the MTP joint may be treated surgically. Cheliectomy (removal of bone osteophytes) and interpositional spacers with autograft or allograft have been used as temporary measures to relieve pain.

Although partial or total joint replacement have been explored for MTP OA, complications from bone loss, loosening, wear debris, implant fragmentation, and transfer metatarsalgia are not uncommon. Also, since the conversion of a failed joint replacement to arthrodesis has greater complications and worse functional results than a primary arthrodesis (joint fusion), MTP arthrodesis is considered the most reliable and primary surgical option. Arthrodesis can lead to a pain-free foot, but the loss of mobility in the MTP joint alters gait, may restrict participation in running and other sports, and limits footwear options, leading to patient dissatisfaction. Transfer of stress and arthritis in an adjacent joint may also develop over time.

Because of the limitations of MTP arthrodesis, alternative treatments that preserve joint motion are being explored. Synthetic cartilage implants have been investigated as a means to reduce pain and improve function in patients with hallux rigidus. Some materials such as silastic were found to fragment with use. Other causes of poor performance are the same as those observed with metal and ceramic joint replacement materials and include dislocation, particle wear, osteolysis, and loosening.

Synthetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels have water content, and biomechanical properties similar to cartilage and they are biocompatible. PVA hydrogels have been used in a variety of medical products including soft contact lens, artificial tears, hydrophilic nerve guides, and tissue adhesion barriers. This material is being evaluated for cartilage replacement due to the rubber elastic properties and, depending on the manufacturing process, high tensile strength and compressibility (Baker, 2012).

The Cartiva implant is an 8- to 10-mm PVA disc that is implanted with a slight (1- to 1.5-mm) protrusion to act as a spacer for the first MTP joint. It comes with dedicated reusable instrumentation, which includes a drill bit, introducer, and placer.

Regulatory Status
The Cartiva PVA implant was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 for the treatment of arthritis of the MTP joint. It has been distributed commercially since 2002 with approval in Europe, Canada, and Brazil. The Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant (Wright Medical, Alpharetta, GA) was approved by the FDA through the premarket approval process (P150017) for painful degenerative or posttraumatic arthritis in the first MTP joint along with hallux valgus or hallux limitus and hallux rigidus. Lesions greater than 10 mm in size and insufficient quality or quantity of bone are contraindications. Continued approval depends on a study evaluating long-term safety and effectiveness. The post-approval study will follow the subjects treated with Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant for 5 years. FDA product code: PNW.

In March 2014, the Arthrex CMVC Mini TightRope^® implant was approved by the FDA through the premarket approval process (predicate PMA K133275/K140328) for carpal metacarpal (CMC) joint arthroplasty as an adjunct in the suspension of the thumb metacarpal during the healing process of hematoma distraction arthroplasty by providing stabilization at the base of the first and second metacarpal when the trapezium has been excised due to osteoarthritis. Subsequent PMA approvals have been issued for other devices in the TightRope^® Fixation Systems with the predicate PMA K133275.  

Policy
The use of synthetic polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel cartilage implants (e.g., the Cartiva™ implant) for the treatment of articular cartilage damage is considered investigational/unproven therefore is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY. 

The use of a Suture Button Suspensionplasty implant (e.g., TightRope^® Fixation System) is considered investigational for all indications is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY. 

The use of the TMC^® Plating System (e.g., the Lapiplasty^®) is considered is considered investigational for all indications and is considered NOT MEDICALLY NECESSARY for all indications. 

Rationale
Evidence reviews assess the clinical evidence to determine whether the use of a technology improves the net health outcome. Broadly defined, health outcomes are length of life, quality of life, and ability to function; including benefits and harms. Every clinical condition has specific outcomes that are important to patients and to managing the course of that condition. Validated outcome measures are necessary to ascertain whether a condition improves or worsens; and whether the magnitude of that change is clinically significant. The net health outcome is balance of benefits and harms.

To assess whether the evidence is sufficient to draw conclusions about the net health outcome of a technology, 2 domains are examined: the relevance and the quality and credibility. To be relevant, studies must represent one or more intended clinical use of the technology in the intended population and compare an effective and appropriate alternative at a comparable intensity. For some conditions the alternative will be supportive care or surveillance. The quality and credibility of the evidence depend on study design and conduct, minimizing bias and confounding that can generate incorrect findings. The randomized controlled trial (RCT) is preferred to assess efficacy; however, in some circumstances, nonrandomized studies may be adequate. RCTs are rarely large enough or long enough to capture less common adverse events and long-term effects. Other types of studies can be used for these purposes and to assess generalizability to broader clinical populations and settings of clinical practice.

EARLY-STAGE FIRST METATARSOPHALANGEAL OSTEOARTHRITIS
No studies were identified on use of synthetic cartilage implants for early-stage first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) osteoarthritis (OA).

Section Summary: Early-Stage First Metatarsophalangeal Osteoarthritis
The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the synthetic cartilage implant for early-stage first MTP OA. RCTs and long-term follow-up are needed to determine implant survival and its effect on health outcomes.

ADVANCED FIRST MTP OA
Food and Drug Administration approval of the Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant was based on an unmasked multicenter noninferiority trial (MOTION) that compared the implant with arthrodesis of the first MTP joint (FDA, 2016; Baumhauer, 2016). This trial, published by Baumhauer et al. in 2016, included 197 patients with advanced hallux rigidus (Coughlin grade 2, 3, or 4) with a visual analog scale [VAS] score for pain ≥ 40/100) who were randomized in a 2:1 ratio to the cartilage implant (n = 132) or arthrodesis (n = 65). Patients were excluded from the trial if they had lesions greater than 10 mm in size, hallux varus to any degree, or hallux valgus greater than 20 degrees. Withdrawals after randomization were higher in the control group (15/65 vs 2/132), suggesting possible bias in expectations in favor of the novel joint preserving procedure. A modified intention-to-treat analysis was requested by the Food and Drug Administration to adjust for the difference in study withdrawals. The modified intention-to-treat analysis included 130 patients in the Cartiva group and 50 patients in the fusion group. The safety cohort included the randomized patients plus 22 nonrandomized run-in patients who received an implant.

The primary outcome was a composite of a 30% or greater difference in VAS scores for pain, maintenance of function on the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) activities of daily living (ADL) subscale, and absence of major safety events at 2 years. The FAAM is a validated measure as sports activities and ADLs, with a minimal clinically important difference defined as 9 points for sports and 8 points for ADL subscales. The primary effectiveness endpoint was achieved by 80% of patients in both groups, and the implant met the 15% noninferiority margin (p < 0.0075). VAS pain scores decreased significantly in both groups but were consistently lower in the arthrodesis group from 6 weeks through 2 years. Nearly all patients (97%) who underwent fusion had a 30% or greater relief in pain compared with 89% of patients who received the implant. Maintenance of function, as measured by the FAAM ADL subscale, was observed in 98.3% of patients who received the implant and in 97.6% of patients who underwent fusion. Secondary surgeries were performed in 17 (11.2%) implant patients, in whom 14 (9.2%) implants were removed and converted to arthrodesis. In the arthrodesis group, 6 (12%) patients had removal of screws or screws and plates. As expected, dorsiflexion was significantly better in the implant group (29°) than in the fusion group (15°; p < 0.001). Radiographic measurements showed 4 (8%) occurrences of mal-union or non-union in the fusion group and no device displacement, fragmentation, or avascular necrosis with the implant. Some instances of radiolucency, bony reactions, and heterotopic ossification were observed, but these events did not correlate with individual patient success. These events might impact future success and will be important to monitor with extended follow- up. The Food and Drug Administration-regulated safety and efficacy study of the randomized and nonrandomized Cartiva group is continuing through 5 years (FDA, 2016).

Further analysis of data (2017) from the pivotal trial did not identify any factors (e.g., hallux rigidus grade, preoperative pain, duration of symptoms, body mass index) that affected the success of the procedure.⁶ Analysis also raised questions whether Coughlin grade (symptoms, radiographic measures, range of motion), is the most appropriate method to identify patients for the procedure, leading the trialists to recommend using only clinical signs and symptoms to guide treatment (Baumhauer, 2017).

Five-year follow-up was reported by Daniels et al. (2017) for 27 patients from the pivotal trial who received the implant at 1 of 3 Canadian centers (Daniels, 2017). Two additional patients were lost to follow-up, and 1 patient had persistent pain and converted to fusion, resulting in 96% implant survivorship. For the remaining patients, there were no radiographic changes in implant position, loosening, subsidence, or wear. Eight patients developed osteophytes, but none required surgery by the average 5.4-year follow-up (range, 4.9 to 6.4 years). VAS pain (5.7), and FAAM ADL subscale (95.3), and FAAM sports subscale (89.4) scores remained high (p < 0.001 vs baseline). It is expected that all patients from the original cohort will have 5- to 10-year follow-up by 2021.

Section Summary: Advanced First MTP OA
The evidence on synthetic cartilage implants in patients with advanced first MTP OA includes an RCT that compared a polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implant with arthrodesis. Results at 2 years from the pivotal trial showed pain scores that were slightly worse compared to patients treated with arthrodesis and similar outcomes between the groups for ADL and sports. Some bias in favor of the novel motion preserving implant is possible, as suggested by the high dropout rate in the arthrodesis group after randomization. Five-year follow-up was reported in 2017 for about 20% of the original cohort, and showed no evidence of degradation in the implant or outcome scores at this time. Follow-up of the complete cohort is continuing and will provide needed information on implant durability at 5 to 10 years. Corroboration of long-term results in an independent study would provide greater confidence in the effect of the implant on health outcomes.

ARTICULAR CARTILAGE LESIONS OF JOINTS OTHER THAN THE GREAT TOE
Use of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implants has been reported in a few observational studies for articular cartilage lesions of the knee. A study is in progress to evaluate the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implant for the OA of the first carpometacarpal joint, but the study is not expected to be completed until 2024. No other RCTs on synthetic cartilage implants for joints other than the great toe have been identified.

Section Summary: Articular Cartilage Lesions of Joints Other Than the Great Toe
The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the synthetic cartilage implant for joints other than the great toe. RCTs and long-term follow-up are needed to determine implant survival and the effect on health outcomes.

SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
For individuals who have early-stage first MTP osteoarthritis who receive a synthetic cartilage implant, the evidence is lacking. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. The pivotal study was performed in patients with Coughlin stage 2, 3, or 4 hallux rigidus. No evidence was identified in patients with stage 0 to early-stage 2 hallux rigidus. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

For individuals who have advanced first MTP osteoarthritis who receive a synthetic cartilage implant, the evidence includes a pivotal RCT. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. Arthrodesis is the established treatment for advanced arthritis of the great toe, although the lack of mobility can negatively impact sports and choice of footwear, and is not a preferred option of patients. Implants have the potential to reduce pain and maintain mobility in the first MTP joint but have in the past been compromised by fragmentation, dislocation, particle wear, osteolysis, and loosening. A polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel implant has shown properties similar to articular cartilage in vitro and was approved by the Food and Drug administration in 2016 for the treatment of painful degenerative or posttraumatic arthritis in the MTP joint. The pivotal trial compared the implant with arthrodesis and showed patient-reported pain scores to be slightly worse than arthrodesis with similar outcomes between the 2 groups on scores for activities of daily living and sports. Five-year follow-up was reported in 2017 for about 20% of the original cohort, which showed no evidence of implant degradation or reduction in pain and function. Continued Food and Drug Administration approval depends on a 5-year follow-up of the complete cohort and will provide needed information on implant durability. There is a high possibility of bias in favor of the novel device. Corroboration of long-term results in an independent study would provide greater confidence in the findings of the pivotal trial. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

For individuals who have articular cartilage damage in joints other than the great toe who receive a synthetic cartilage implant, the evidence includes observational studies. Relevant outcomes are symptoms, functional outcomes, quality of life, and treatment-related morbidity. No randomized controlled trials were identified. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effects of the technology on health outcomes.

References

1. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).(2017) Ortho Info.Stiff Big Toe (Hallux Rigidus). Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00168.
2. An TW, Cassinelli S, Charlton TP, et al.(2020) Radiographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Symptomatic Synthetic Cartilage Implant. Foot Ankle Int. Jan 2020; 41(1): 25-30. PMID 31538827
3. Baker MI, Walsh SP, Schwartz Z, et al.(2012) A review of polyvinyl alcohol and its uses in cartilage and orthopedic applications. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. Jul 2012;100(5):1451-1457. PMID 22514196
4. Baumhauer JF, Singh D, Glazebrook M, et al.(2016) Prospective, randomized, multi-centered clinical trial assessing safety and efficacy of a synthetic cartilage implant versus first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis in advanced hallux rigidus. Foot Ankle Int. 2016; 37(5):457-469.
5. Baumhauer JF, Singh D, Glazebrook M, et al.(2017) Correlation of hallux rigidus grade with motion, VAS pain, intraoperative cartilage loss, and treatment success for first MTP Joint arthrodesis and synthetic cartilage implant. Foot Ankle Int. Oct 01 2017:1071100717735289. PMID 28992721
6. Cartiva Inc,(2017) Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant Alpharetta, GA. https://www.cartiva.net/Home/CartivaSCI
7. Cassinelli SJ, Chen S, Charlton TP, et al.(2019) Early Outcomes and Complications of Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Treatment of Hallux Rigidus in the United States. Foot Ankle Int. Oct 2019; 40(10): 1140-1148. PMID 31195830
8. Daniels TR, Younger AS, Penner MJ, et al.(2017) Midterm outcomes of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel hemiarthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in advanced hallux rigidus. Foot Ankle Int. 2017; 38(3):243-247.
9. Glazebrook M, Baumhauer JF, Blundell C, et al.(2019) Letter Regarding: Early Outcomes and Complications of Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Treatment of Hallux Rigidus in the United States. Foot Ankle Int. Oct 2019; 40(10): 1149-1151. PMID 31600478
10. Goldberg A, Singh D, Glazebrook M, Blundell CM, De Vries G, Le ILD, Nielsen D, Pedersen ME, Sakellariou A, Solan M, Younger ASE, Daniels TR, Baumhauer JF;Cartiva MOTION Study Group.,(2017) Association Between Patient Factors and Outcome of Synthetic Cartilage Implant, Hemiarthroplasty vs First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis in Advanced Hallux Rigidus. Foot Ankle Int. 2017 Aug. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 28820949.
11. Gould N, Schneider W, Ashikaga T.(1980) Epidemiological survey of foot problems in the continental United States: 1978-1979. Foot Ankle. Jul 1980;1(1):8-10. PMID 6115797
12. Guerrero EM, Ferlauto HR, Grier AJ, Wahl EP, Richard MJ, Ruch DS.(2022) Suspensionplasty for Revision Thumb Carpometacarpal Osteoarthritis Surgery: Comparing Suture Button Suspensionplasty to Ligament Reconstruction and Tendon Interposition. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022 Sep 1;150(3):601-605. doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000009408. Epub 2022 Jul 1. PMID: 35791263.
13. Hayes©, a symplr Company(2023) Lapiplasty (Treace Medical Concepts Inc.) for the Correction of Hallux Valgus: Clinical Research Response Jan 23, 2023 Available at: https://evidence.hayesinc.com/
14. Joo PY, Baumhauer JF, Waldman O, et al.(2021) Physical Function and Pain Interference Levels of Hallux Rigidus Patients Before and After Synthetic Cartilage Implant vs Arthrodesis Surgery. Foot Ankle Int. May 24 2021: 10711007211007843. PMID 34024138
15. Metikala S, Mahmoud K, O'Connor KM, et al.(2020) Adverse Events Related to Cartiva Hemiarthroplasty of First Metatarsal: An Analysis of Reports to the United States Food and Drug Administration. Foot Ankle Spec. Jul 29 2020: 1938640020943715. PMID 32723089
16. Shi E, Todd N, Rush S, et al.(2019) First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Space Area Decreases Within 1 Month After Implantation of a Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel Implant: A Retrospective Radiographic Case Series. . J Foot Ankle Surg. Nov 2019; 58(6): 1288-1292. PMID 31679683
17. Smyth NA, Murawski CD, Hannon CP, et al.(2020) The Use of a Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Hallux Rigidus: A Systematic Review. Foot Ankle Spec. Jul 03 2020: 1938640020937160. PMID 32618201
18. Thordarson DB, Cassinelli SJ, Charlton TP, et al.(2019) Response to Letter Regarding: Early Outcomes and Complications of Synthetic Cartilage Implant for Treatment of Hallux Rigidus in the United States. Foot Ankle Int. Oct 2019; 40(10): 1152-1153. PMID 31600477
19. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(2016) Center for Devices and Radiological Health. New device approval letter. July 1, 2016. Cartiva Synthetic Cartilage Implant. P150017. Available at: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf15/P150017A.pdf. Accessed on March 27, 2017.
20. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.(2016) Cartiva: Post approval studies. 2016; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma_pas.cfm?c_id=4019&t_id=570803. Accessed October 23, 2017.
21. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.(2016) Cartiva: Summary of Safety and Effectiveness. 2016; https://www.fda.gov/downloads/AdvisoryCommittees/UCM496457.pdf. Accessed October 23, 2017.
22. Yao J, Cheah AE.(2017) Mean 5-Year Follow-up for Suture Button Suspensionplasty in the Treatment of Thumb Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis. J Hand Surg Am. 2017 Jul;42(7):569.e1-569.e11. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2017.03.011. Epub 2017 Apr 12. PMID: 28412189.
23. Yee G, Lau J.(2008) Current concepts review: hallux rigidus. Foot Ankle Int. 2008;29(6):637-646. doi:10.3113/FAI.2008.0637.
24. Younger ASE, Baumhauer JF.(2013) Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel hemiarthroplasty of the great toe: technique and indications. Techn Foot Ankle Surg. 2013;12(3):164-169.

Coding Section

Coding
CPT 28291 is expected to be reported for the surgical procedure performed for the Cartiva Implant.
 
28291 Hallux rigidus correction with cheilectomy, debridement and capsular release of the first metatarsophalangeal joint; with implant
 
There is not a code specific to the Cartiva “Hydrogel” Implant. HCPCS L8699 is expected to be used. Other codes such as L8641 or L8642 could be found on claims since the codes describe various materials such as silicone or titanium.

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive.

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association technology assessment program (TEC) and other nonaffiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies, and accredited national guidelines.

"Current Procedural Terminology © American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved" 

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