Implant derived from coral material offers new treatment for patients suffering from knee pain

Orlando, FL (November 15, 2024) – An Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute surgeon is the first in Florida to implant new technology that utilizes a natural compound found in coral to heal cartilage injuries. Dr. Abhishek Kannan completed the procedure to treat a patient suffering from chronic knee pain on November 11.

The implant is made up of calcium carbonate derived from coral. According to the manufacturer, the biocompatible material serves as a scaffold, with the potential to promote natural regrowth of cartilage and underlying bone.

Cartilage is the smooth, cushiony tissue that covers the ends of the bones and helps them move easily. When this tissue is damaged, it can be painful and make moving hard.

“We have many younger patients who present with acute or chronic pain from cartilage damage, which is usually the result of previous injuries,” said Dr. Kannan, a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine surgeon at Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. “This gives us a new tool to treat isolated cartilage defects with minimally invasive outpatient surgery and faster recovery time. Early results are promising, but we will continue to follow the data and report our patient outcomes as longer-term studies are ongoing.”

During surgery, small incisions are used to remove the damaged cartilage and prepare the bone. The surgeon then inserts the small, plug-shaped implant. As it’s absorbed into the bone, the implant helps spur the cartilage regrowth process. Patients are expected to return to full activity about six months after the procedure.

Other treatments for cartilage damage typically include human tissue transplant, arthroscopic microfracture to stimulate fibrocartilage growth and ultimately knee replacement surgery.

The Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute opened the state’s first dedicated orthopedic hospital in 2023. It employs 65 physicians with 14 clinic locations throughout Florida.

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About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States – including Florida and Alabama – and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health’s mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)