IRAP Joint Therapy

 

IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein), or Autologous Conditioned Serum as it is also known, is a method of harvesting anti-inflammatory protein from the horse's own blood to then inject into a joint to encourage healing.

 

IRAP is an extremely useful treatment for joint lameness (inflammation/ degeneration of joints) and is a great alternative to corticosteroid and hyaluronate injections. It is drug-free and leaves no residues - therefore, since no prohibited substance is administered, there is no withdrawal period for competition.

 

 The Technique:

• A 50ml sample of blood is taken from the horse in a special syringe using a sterile technique.

 

• The blood sample is then incubated for 24 hours in the IRAP syringe, where by the protein-rich serum is created.

 

• The serum is injected into the joint using a sterile technique again.

 

• One blood sample typically yields 3-4 doses of IRAP, which may be frozen for future injections, specifically for use in your horse.