A REVOLUTIONARY WAY TO REPAIR CARTILAGE
Cartilage is the slippery white coating that cushions the joints. Once damaged, it usually does not heal and may result in arthritis. Dr. Venuto removes a small amount of healthy cartilage cells, about the size of half a fingernail, from the knee. He sends the cells to a laboratory where, through a patented process, millions more healthy cells are grown. These healthy cells are then implanted into the knee, making it possible to restore fluid movement. The Los Angeles Times and NBC featured Dr. Venuto as he performed the first carticel implant surgery in Southern California. Called one of the “Top 10 Medical Advances of 1994” by Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Letter, Carticel Transplant Surgery may replace temporary procedures and prevent the need for total knee replacement.
NEW KNEE REPLACEMENT TECHNIQUE
In 2004, Dr. Venuto became one of the first Surgeons in California to perform a partial knee replacement in the Outpatient Center, thus obviating the need for costly inpatient care. This was made possible by using a minimally invasive technique which not only decreased postsurgical pain but hastened recovery.
