The Orthokine-Therapy is a new biological treatment of osteoarthritis and back pain, without the use of any foreign material, thus, equivalent to a complete autologous form of treatment. 
The Orthokine-Therapy involves individual autologous proteins, derived from the patient's blood, and then applied as medication.

The basic idea for the development of the Orthokine therapy was the fact that interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a key role in the pathology of osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc degeneration/prolaps. The biological antagonist, interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), intervenes in the physiological mechanism of these diseases. Interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is naturally present in the blood. However, this antagonist is produced and extracted in up to 30 times higher concentrations with the production of Orthokine.

Clip: Orthokine – how it works and scientific background

Further reading .... The Orthokine Method 

The blood samples are taken from the arm vein with a special syringe. The glass beads in the syringe induce the white blood cells to synthesize increased amounts of protective proteins (IL-1Ra) that inhibit osteoarthritis. The temperature of 37°C in the incubator mimics normal body temperature and creates an

optimum environment for protein synthesis.

 A centrifuge separates the amber serum from the blood clot; the serum contains high concentration of protective and regenerative proteins. The serum is filled into several syringes. Generally the patient receives three to six injections into the afflicted joint or three to six into the afflicted spine area.

Treating Osteoarthrosis with Orthokine 

Osteoarthritis is characterised by the degeneration process in the joint. This leads to the progressive destruction of the joint cartilage until, in the final stage, the joint is unable to

perform it’s natural function. The cause for the reduction of the cartilage that acts as a natural shock absorber and enables untroubled movement is a low grade inflammatory process in the joint. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is responsible for the destruction of the cartilage tissue and is present in small but still aggressive concentrations in osteoarthritis. To protect the cartilage tissue, the interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) protein is extracted from the patient’s blood and injected into the joint.

Treating Back Pain with Orthokine

Possible causes of back pain are age-related changes in the spinal column, slipped discs or bony narrowing of the spinal canal are possible causes. However, the effect of this "mechanical problem" is often the same: the nerve roots are irritated or inflamed. This can lead to pain and loss of sensation (numbness of the legs, etc.). The release of so-called cytokines is responsible for these complaints. Cytokines are signalling factors of the immune system that contribute to the onset of pain and nerve damage. The cytokine interleukin-1 plays an important role in the inflammatory process. Interleukin-1 is responsible for inflammation, while its antagonist, interleukin-1-receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra), is anti-inflammatory and pain-inhibiting. For this reason, this substance is suitable for the treatment of compressed and inflamed nerves.