Orthokine

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.[1][2][3] Known in the United States as Regenokine,[4] 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.[1][5][6] 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.[1][3][7] That serum is injected into the patient's affected area.[5] The procedure reduces pain and discomfort in the joint.[3] The treatment generally lasts five days, with six shots of the serum into the affected area.[6][8] It is normal for a patient to receive annual injections to ease the joint discomfort.[3]

Orthokine is a patented method developed by molecular biologist Dr. Julio Reinecke and Dr. Peter Wehling, a spinal surgeon in Düsseldorf, Germany.[3][7] 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.[9] Orthokine is less invasive than most, if not all, other forms of knee surgeries available.[10] It focuses on treating the inflammation as opposed to mechanical problems in the joints.[8] Orthokine was first approved for widespread use in Germany in 2003.[11] Most patients have reported positive results.[3][9] Orthokine differs from a similar procedure with platelet-rich plasma (PRP), where platelets are targeted instead of the interleukin antagonist.[12] Platelets are thought to speed the healing process. Also, PRP does not require the blood to be heated as Orthokine does.[8] The heating increases the anti-inflammatory proteins as much as 100 times.[6]

As of August 2012, about 60,000 patients worldwide have received the treatment.[11] Americans have traveled to Germany for the treatment, which has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).[1][7] 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.[8] Wehling said the procedure has a 75% success rate and follows all regulations set by the World Anti-Doping Agency.[13] 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.[1][3][5] Some basketball fans refer to the procedure as the "Kobe Procedure".[3]

The procedure cost €6,000 (about $7,400) as of July 2012.[8] The treatment is not covered by health insurance. Chris Renna, a 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."[11]

People who have received treatment

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Orthokine is sometimes referred to as the "Kobe Procedure" after Kobe Bryant.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Lehrer, Jonah (April 11, 2012). "Why Did Kobe Go to Germany?". grantland.com (ESPN Internet Ventures). Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Nick Young: Gilbert Arenas Got ‘That Kobe Treatment on His Knees’". slamonline.com (Source Interlink Magazines, LLC). February 2, 2012. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9 3.10 3.11 Kyler, Steve (August 15, 2012). "NBA AM: The Next Nightmare In The NBA". hoopsworld.com (USA Today). Archived from the original on August 16, 2012.
  4. ↑ Hale, Mark (December 29, 2011). "Yankees say A-Rod had shoulder treatment, too". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Puma, Mike (December 28, 2011). "Yankees' A-Rod saw German doctors on advice from Kobe". New York Post. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "Graphic: Unique knee surgery". Chicago Tribune. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Thompson, Teri (December 31, 2011). "A-Rod doc has pal who dealt ‘cream’". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 8.8 Kulish, Nicholas (July 10, 2012). "Novel Blood Treatment Lures Athletes to Germany". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Orthokine Treatment Is Effective For Knee Arthritis, Even After Two Years - Long-Study Confirms Effectiveness Of Autologous Therapy". medicalnewstoday.com (MediLexicon International Ltd). August 5, 2008. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012.
  10. ↑ Moore, Matt (August 17, 2012). "Report: Andrew Bynum to have 'Kobe treatment' in Germany in September". cbssports.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2012.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 Mitchell, John N. (August 18, 2012). "Bynum's knee treatment gains acceptance in U.S.". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012.
  12. ↑ Trudell, Mike (August 20, 2012). "The Trainer's Take: Part Two". nba.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2012.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Birkett, Dave (February 24, 2013). "Lions' Gosder Cherilus had knee therapy, sources say". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on February 25, 2013.
  14. ↑ Amick, Sam (November 15, 2012). "Bogut is getting blood manipulation treatments". hoopsworld.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Andrew Bynum to rest 21 days". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 1, 2012. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
  16. ↑ Gullan, Scott (December 1, 2012). "Western Bulldogs star Adam Cooney flying after revolutionary knee treatment". Herald Sun. Retrieved December 1, 2012. This is all on the back of a ground-breaking procedure he had on his troublesome right knee in Germany just over a month ago.(subscription required)
  17. ↑ Lane, Samantha (September 25, 2012). "Hawks set the pace in injection science". The Age. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Coro, Paul (August 20, 2012). "Regenokine: The magic treatment". azcentral.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013.
  19. ↑ The Howard Stern Show. June 10, 2014. Event occurs at 37:40. I had a shoulder problem. I had to go to Germany to get some ... you ever heard of Orthokine surgery?
  20. ↑ Wesseling, Chris (June 30, 2013). "Sidney Rice leaves Seahawks camp for knee treatment". NFL.com.
  21. ↑ Woods, Melissa (August 1, 2012). "St Kilda captain Nick Riewoldt credits Orthokine therapy on injured knee with boost in form and fitness". foxsports.com.au (Fox Sports Australia Pty Limited). Archived from the original on August 14, 2012.
  22. ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmhi1qJP4oo
  23. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=640002279403474&set=pb.146491048754602.-2207520000.1400927433.&type=3
  24. ↑ Dybas, Todd (June 30, 2014). "Healthy and lighter, Jesse Williams hopes to make an impact". The News Tribune (TheNewsTribune.com). Retrieved July 1, 2014.
  25. ↑ http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/ufc-boss-dana-white-credits-alex-rodriguez-orthokine-for-beating-menieres

Further reading

External links