Orange County Orthopedic Surgeon Among First on West Coast to Utilize Stem Cells

NEWPORT BEACH, CA, March 12, 2013 (Press-News.org) Dr. Ralph J. Venuto (http://www.drvenuto.com), one of the premiere orthopedic surgeons in Orange County, has performed more PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy injections than any other physician along the West Coast, and will soon being utilizing stem cells in his own PRP treatments. PRP therapy has been in use as a nonsurgical alternative for sports injuries for over a decade. Its success as a minimally invasive treatment will be augmented through the incorporation of stem cells.

"I'm very excited by the improved treatment outcomes this new therapy could provide," says Dr. Venuto. "PRP injections are already speeding healing following injury, and integrating stem cells into the treatment could really be a game-changer."

Dr. Venuto was selected by Harvest Technologies to participate in the inclusive PRP/stem cell treatments for orthopedic conditions because of his extensive experience as an orthopedic surgeon, and his familiarity with PRP procedures and cellular therapy. He is one of only a few surgeons currently utilizing mHSC (mesenchymal human stem cells) in the field of sports medicine.

Platelet rich plasma therapy injections are a treatment derived from the patient's own blood. Blood is withdrawn from the patient, and is then specially processed to produce concentrated platelets. After the concentrated platelets are collected, they're injected directly into the injured area. These concentrated platelets work to stimulate healing and cellular regeneration in the connective tissues faster than the body is typically able to accomplish on its own after an injury. Eventually, stem cells develop, differentiating into new tissue specific to the targeted area: tendon, ligament, cartilage or even bone, depending on the injury.

"By including stem cells from the outset, the entire procedure is faster and more effective," explains Dr. Venuto. "We're actually just giving the body a concentrated dose of its own natural healing power."

Like PRP, stem cells are derived from the patient's body. When incorporated as part of PRP therapy, mesenchymal human stem cells are used. Mesenchymal human stem cells (mHSC) are capable of developing into virtually any type of tissue, particularly connective tissue like cartilage and structural tissues like bone.

One of the primary resources for collecting mHSC is found in the adipose tissue, or human fat . Once the sample is extracted and prepared, the processed stem cells are injected back into the body along with the platelet rich plasma. By using the patient's own tissues, the risks of allergic reaction, treatment rejection or genetic tissue interchange are eliminated. A single treatment takes about 20 minutes to complete, and requires virtually zero recovery time. Unlike surgery, there are no scars left behind after PRP therapy.

"PRP is minimally invasive, and utilizes the body's natural healing processes, only better," says Dr. Venuto. "These unique stem cells are directly responsible for the necessary movement in connective tissue, and are vital for solid orthopedic structure."

Dr. Ralph J. Vento (http://www.drvenuto.com) is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Newport Beach serving all of Orange County, California. He specializes in the care of conditions and injuries of the knee and shoulder joints, and also is a well-known sports medicine physician. Through the use of minimally invasive techniques such as platelet-rich plasma therapy, he is helping patients recover quickly and return to the activities they love most.