Orthokine is an experimental medical procedure in which a patient's own blood is extracted, manipulated, and then reintroduced to the body as an anti-inflammatory drug to reduce chronic pain and osteoarthritis. It is known in the United States as Regenokine.
Video Orthokine
Treatment
The process removes about 2 US fluid ounces (59 ml) of blood from a patient's arm, which is then incubated at a slightly raised temperature. The liquid is then placed in a centrifuge until its constituent parts are separated. The middle yellowish layer is dense with agents that are believed to stop an arthritic agent known as interleukin-1, which causes degeneration of the joints and the breakdown of cartilage. That serum is injected into the patient's affected area. The procedure reduces pain and discomfort in the joint. The treatment generally lasts five days, with six shots of the serum into the affected area. It is normal for a patient to receive annual injections to ease the joint discomfort.
Orthokine is a patented method developed by molecular biologist Dr. Julio Reinecke and Dr. Peter Wehling, a spinal surgeon in Düsseldorf, Germany. A two-year study of osteoarthritis of the knee, published in the medical journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the therapy. Orthokine is less invasive than most, if not all, other forms of knee surgeries available. It focuses on treating the inflammation as opposed to mechanical problems in the joints. Orthokine was first approved for widespread use in Germany in 2003. Most patients have reported positive results. Orthokine differs from a similar procedure with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), where platelets are targeted instead of the interleukin antagonist. Platelets are thought to speed the healing process. Also, PRP does not require the blood to be heated as Orthokine does. The heating increases the anti-inflammatory proteins as much as 100 times.
Maps Orthokine
History
As of August 2012, about 60,000 patients worldwide have received the treatment. Americans have traveled to Germany for the treatment, which has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Two offices, one in New York and another in Los Angeles, have licenses to provide a similar treatment, but they cannot advertise due to the lack of FDA approval. Dr. Freddie Fu, a professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, said more high-quality independent trials proving the procedure's effectiveness are needed before the FDA approves. Wehling said the procedure has a 75% success rate and follows all regulations set by the World Anti-Doping Agency. National Basketball Association star Kobe Bryant, who traveled to Germany to have the procedure performed by Wehling, is one famous case based on his recovery from his previously poor knees. Some basketball fans refer to the procedure as the "Kobe Procedure".
The procedure cost EUR6,000 (about $7,400) as of July 2012. The treatment is not covered by health insurance. Dr. Chris Renna, a Los Angeles based, preventive medicine specialist who has referred American patients to Wehling since 2003, said that "because of its expense and status, the treatment is for the 1 and 2 percent of our society."
People who have received treatment
- D. J. Alexander, NFL linebacker
- Gilbert Arenas, former NBA guard
- Cliff Avril, NFL defensive end
- Michael Bennett, NFL defensive end
- Lindsey Berg, volleyball player
- Dan Bilzerian, Professional Poker Player
- Andrew Bogut, NBA center
- Kobe Bryant, NBA guard
- Andrew Bynum, NBA center
- Gosder Cherilus, NFL offensive tackle
- Adam Cooney, Australian rules football player
- Fred Couples, golfer
- Ari Emanuel, talent agent
- Cody Garbrandt, professional UFC fighter
- Brent Guerra, Australian rules football player
- Grant Hill, retired NBA guard
- Andre Iguodala, NBA forward
- Luke Joeckel, NFL offensive lineman
- Jeff Kwatinetz, entertainment production company president
- Tyler Lockett, NFL wide receiver
- Tracy McGrady, NBA guard/forward
- Willie Nelson, professional singer, song writer and actor
- Greg Oden, NBA center
- Jermaine O'Neal, NBA forward/center
- Pope John Paul II, former Pope
- Sidney Rice, NFL wide receiver
- Nick Riewoldt, Australian rules football player
- Alex Rodriguez, MLB third baseman/shortstop
- Joe Rogan, professional actor, comedian and UFC commentator
- Brandon Roy, retired NBA guard
- Bas Rutten, retired professional fighter, color commentator and actor
- Ryan Sheckler, pro skateboarder
- Wes Short, Jr., golfer
- Vijay Singh, golfer
- Brian Urlacher, former NFL linebacker
- Dana White, President of the UFC
- Michael Wilhoite, NFL linebacker
- Jesse Williams, NFL defensive tackle
- K. J. Wright, NFL linebacker
- Sam Bradford, NFL quarterback
See also
- Biologic medical product
References
Further reading
- Wehling, Dr. Peter; Renna, Dr. Chris (2011). The End of Pain. Amazon.de.
External links
- Orthokine.com
- Regenokine.net
Source of article : Wikipedia
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