New Treatment Against Osteoarthritis: Orthokine Therapy Highly Effective Against Knee Arthritis After Two Years

Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 24 Feb 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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An international team of researchers has evaluated the effectiveness of Orthokine therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee, and the results have been published in the February edition of the specialist journal "Osteoarthritis and Cartilage". The researchers followed 376 patients to determine the effectiveness of various osteoarthritis treatments. After six months as well as after two years, patients who received Orthokine therapy experienced significantly less pain and more improved joint function than those who received hyaluronic acid or a placebo. Orthokine therapy is a biotechnology-based method in which proteins that inhibit inflammation are obtained from the patient's own blood and injected into the affected joint.

"In this study and for several thousand patients whom we have treated, Orthokine has proven an extraordinarily safe and effective way of treating osteoarthritis of the knee. I am delighted that distinguished experts have now confirmed these findings," said Dr. Peter Wehling, CEO of ORTHOGEN AG, in Dasseldorf on February 21. "We are now planning to distribute the IP-protected Orthokine technology world- wide. Orthokine is already being distributed in various EU countries through ORTHOGEN or other distributors."

Orthokine is the first scientifically proven, placebo-controlled autologous therapy in the orthopaedic field.

This kind of therapy was recently discussed in The New York Times. Two of the Pittsburgh Steelers' biggest stars, Hines Ward and Troy Polamalu, used their own blood cells in an innovative injury treatment before winning the Super Bowl.

Orthogen AG
http://www.orthogen.com

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