ACS (synonym irap® or Orthokin) - Autologous Conditioned Serum
In human medicine, this therapy has been in use as „Orthokin® therapy“ since 1997. Successful studies prove the effectiveness of the treatment of joints, back pain and muscle tears. More than 30,000 patients have been treated to date.
irap®/ACS is derived from the horse's own blood. It has been used in equine orthopaedics since 2003.
ACS is used particularly for the therapy of joint diseases (arthritis/osteoarthritis).
The healing process
The progression of cartilage and tendon degeneration is well understood. It generally develops over years and therefore cannot be healed overnight. Until now, degeneration and inflammation have been treated with methods that have no influence on the causes. The irap® therapy offers a biological treatment for lameness using the body's own substances. This means a low risk of side effects and no detectable chemical substances.
In more severe joint diseases, such as in the context of pronounced arthritis (joint inflammation), proteins called cytokines are released in the joint, which promote cartilage breakdown and thereby accelerate joint destruction. An important cytokine in this process is Interleukin-1.
The aim in producing ACS is the selective multiplication of suitable „opponents“ of these destructive substances, so that cartilage breakdown can be effectively inhibited. Growth factors that can initiate a regenerative process are also multiplied. ACS therefore utilises the body's own regenerative powers.
Was ist ACS?
ACS therapy is based on the production of regenerative and anti-inflammatory proteins by the patient's own blood cells.
For the production of the ACS, blood is drawn from the patient under sterile conditions and transferred into a special syringe filled with glass beads. Subsequently, the prepared blood is incubated in our laboratory for 24 hours at 37°C.
During this time, various blood components such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and growth factors accumulate. irap®, you see, stands for Interleukin – Receptor – Antagonist – Protein. After this period, the syringe is centrifuged, and the settled serum is transferred through a filter into portioned syringes. For patient treatment, a portion is taken and thawed.
Before injection, it is filtered again.
ACS hilft in folgenden Fällen:
Therefore, therapy with ACS is particularly suitable for diseased joints, as well as inflammation of the tendon sheaths and tendons.
The prompt and timely effect of irap® therapy is pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant. This biological therapy is suitable for stimulating regeneration or at least slowing down the degenerative process of the tissue in the medium to long term.
Text and photos courtesy of Orthogen Veterinary GmbH, 40210 Düsseldorf
