IRAP Therapy

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IL-Ra), is one of the newest developments in the treatment of osteoarthritis. In Europe, it has been used for eight years in humans and six years in horses. The product Orthokine IRAP has been available in the

since December 2004 and its popularity is growing among performance horse veterinarians and their clients.

Orthokine is created by withdrawing blood from the patient into a large syringe containing specially treated glass beads, which increase the surface area inside the syringe. During a 24 hour incubation period, blood cells interact with the bead surface, which simulates a wound, to produce large quantities of IRAP and other anti-inflammatory products. The syringes are then placed in a centrifuge to separate blood from the serum, which can then be immediately injected into a problem area or frozen for future use.

Joint disease can be a vicious cycle, because damaged cartilage cells produce interleukins that incite further inflammation, thereby breaking down the cartilage even more. IRAP therapy actually inhibits this disease process. Technically speaking, IRAP competes with the degrading force of interleukin-1 (IL-1) for the same receptor sites in the horse’s affected joint; therefore, the more IRAP present in a damaged joint the less IL-1 harms your horse. . . used early enough in the progression, IRAP may be a “cure” for some horses, halting the cycle before it spirals out of control.

Treating with Autologous Conditioned Plasma (ACP), otherwise known as Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP), is available at our clinic within minutes of a diagnosis of a soft tissue injury in your horse. After taking blood from your horse, it is centrifuged at high speed to separate out platelets and beneficial growth factors. This "conditioned" plasma is then injected with an ultrasound guided technique into the areas of soft tissue injury. The cells and growth factors that are deposited then act to maximize the healing of tendons and ligaments by stimulating and supporting proper collagen fiber remodelling. Benefits include instantaneous use of your horse's own cells and proteins to stimulate its recovery, ability to quickly reharvest a sample in the event of a reinjury or another injury, and low cost.