IRAP® therapy - an effective method for treating inflamed joints

IRAP® therapy - an effective method for treating inflamed joints

My horse is going lame! After a thorough examination, the vet often diagnoses acute or chronic inflammation of one or more joints. In diseases such as acute arthritis or prolonged osteoarthritis, there is an increased production of the body's own inflammatory mediators (messenger substances). First and foremost is the cytokine interleukin-1, the presence of which triggers a cascade of cartilage-degrading processes. The result is a vicious circle that is difficult to break - and this is precisely where IRAP® therapy comes in.

With IRAP®, a serum is obtained from the horse's own blood using a special biotechnological process that neutralises the harmful effect of interleukin-1 (simplified: the „keyhole“ is blocked, the „key“ no longer fits). The prepared serum is then injected into the affected joint and thus stops the interleukin-mediated inflammatory cascade. This can stop or slow down the progression of cartilage damage.

The serum also contains other endogenous cytokines, so-called growth factors, which can support the regeneration of the cartilage. The material obtained can be used directly or frozen in portions and stored for later treatments.

This therapy is characterised by its very good tolerability: it involves autologous, i.e. the body's own substances. IRAP® therapy therefore opens up new perspectives for horses with acute and chronic joint inflammation - especially in cases without clear changes in the X-ray image as well as in the case of localised cartilage damage that has been detected using arthroscopy or ultrasound, for example.

Not every diseased joint must or should be treated with IRAP®. Proven forms of therapy such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. meloxicam, phenylbutazone), corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid continue to be of value. IRAP® is a useful addition to these options - especially if previous measures have not helped sufficiently.

A thorough clinical examination and consultation with us will clarify in advance whether IRAP® therapy is suitable for your horse.