IRap
IRap is a relatively new treatment that has also been developed in the treatment of Human Joint disease, in humans the product is called “Orthokine”.
What is IRap and how does it work?
Joint disease involves inflammation of the joint and it is this inflammation that produces the signs we see, such as heat, swelling, and Pain.
The process of inflammation in a joint is driven by chemicals called Inflammatory mediators. One of the more important and significant inflammatory mediators is one called interleukin-1 or IL-1.
IRap stands for Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein. This means, in simple terms, IRap stops IL-1 from having an effect by blocking its receptor site.
An analogy would be where Inflammation was a car and IL-1 the key, but the car cannot be started because IRap has super-glued the ignition.
If the inflammatory process can’t get started, then we don’t see the subsequent signs of heat, swelling and pain.
IRap is produced by a specialised process which uses the horse’s own blood cells to manufacture the active ingredient. Using the horse’s own cells in this way means the risks of side effects is much lower than using man-made drugs and chemicals.
What are the Conditions for which IRap can be used?
Osteoarthritis, especially those cases where the disease is chronic and other treatments such as steroids and Hyaluronic acid are no longer effective.
Damage to the articular cartilage of joints
Suspensory Ligament injuries
Inflamed tendon sheaths
When is IRap Not a suitable treatment?
If there is very extensive cartilage erosion or if there is ligament damage within the joint that has not been treated or hasn’t yet healed.
If there are active OCD lesions, bone cysts, osteochondral fragments etc. that haven’t yet been treated, within the joint.
How is the IRap treatment prepared and Used?
Once a horse has been selected for treatment with IRap, it has a blood sample collected in a sterile manner.
The blood is processed in the laboratory and incubated over-night in special syringes.
The IRap is then ready for use. The horse will usually be given its first treatment the following day. A course of three injections will usually form the initial treatment course. A batch of six syringes is usually prepared, the unused syringes can be stored, frozen, until they are required.
Dependant on the type of disease process being treated and the response to the initial IRap treatment course, subsequent injections can be administered either in response to the return of clinical symptoms or in a preventative manner, eg. in advance of competition or increases in the horses work levels.
What are the potential side effects /problems with IRap?
Because the product is a natural one, produced in the horse already, there are minimal side effects of the IRap itself.
Because the IRap has to be injected into a joint or tendon sheath, there is always the risk of a secondary infection or inflammatory joint flare-up, as there is when injecting anything into any equine joint. Strict aseptic techniques are used in preparing the skin at the site of the injection also when collecting the original blood sample from the horse.
The horse does need to be rested for a period after the treatment and the Vet dealing with the case will advise how long this should be for each individual case.
What are the costs of IRap?
The cost of collecting and processing the blood sample, the administration of the initial course of 3 injections is £ 577.83 + VAT
IRap is a relatively new treatment that has also been developed in the treatment of Human Joint disease, in humans the product is called “Orthokine”.
What is IRap and how does it work?
Joint disease involves inflammation of the joint and it is this inflammation that produces the signs we see, such as heat, swelling, and Pain.
The process of inflammation in a joint is driven by chemicals called Inflammatory mediators. One of the more important and significant inflammatory mediators is one called interleukin-1 or IL-1.
IRap stands for Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein. This means, in simple terms, IRap stops IL-1 from having an effect by blocking its receptor site.
An analogy would be where Inflammation was a car and IL-1 the key, but the car cannot be started because IRap has super-glued the ignition.
If the inflammatory process can’t get started, then we don’t see the subsequent signs of heat, swelling and pain.
IRap is produced by a specialised process which uses the horse’s own blood cells to manufacture the active ingredient. Using the horse’s own cells in this way means the risks of side effects is much lower than using man-made drugs and chemicals.
What are the Conditions for which IRap can be used?
Osteoarthritis, especially those cases where the disease is chronic and other treatments such as steroids and Hyaluronic acid are no longer effective.
Damage to the articular cartilage of joints
Suspensory Ligament injuries
Inflamed tendon sheaths
When is IRap Not a suitable treatment?
If there is very extensive cartilage erosion or if there is ligament damage within the joint that has not been treated or hasn’t yet healed.
If there are active OCD lesions, bone cysts, osteochondral fragments etc. that haven’t yet been treated, within the joint.
How is the IRap treatment prepared and Used?
Once a horse has been selected for treatment with IRap, it has a blood sample collected in a sterile manner.
The blood is processed in the laboratory and incubated over-night in special syringes.
The IRap is then ready for use. The horse will usually be given its first treatment the following day. A course of three injections will usually form the initial treatment course. A batch of six syringes is usually prepared, the unused syringes can be stored, frozen, until they are required.
Dependant on the type of disease process being treated and the response to the initial IRap treatment course, subsequent injections can be administered either in response to the return of clinical symptoms or in a preventative manner, eg. in advance of competition or increases in the horses work levels.
What are the potential side effects /problems with IRap?
Because the product is a natural one, produced in the horse already, there are minimal side effects of the IRap itself.
Because the IRap has to be injected into a joint or tendon sheath, there is always the risk of a secondary infection or inflammatory joint flare-up, as there is when injecting anything into any equine joint. Strict aseptic techniques are used in preparing the skin at the site of the injection also when collecting the original blood sample from the horse.
The horse does need to be rested for a period after the treatment and the Vet dealing with the case will advise how long this should be for each individual case.
What are the costs of IRap?
The cost of collecting and processing the blood sample, the administration of the initial course of 3 injections is £ 577.83 + VAT
