While Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is already widely recognized, Orthokine® offers an innovative biological approach, particularly when chronic inflammation and more advanced osteoarthritis are the main underlying problems.

At Clínica Medin in Lagoa, Dr. Lisa Buddrus provides these specialized regenerative therapies to help patients restore joint health, reduce persistent pain, and maintain mobility through conservative, non-surgical orthopaedic medicine.

Understanding Osteoarthritis and Joint Inflammation

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic joint pain. As the condition progresses, changes do not only affect the cartilage. The joint lining (synovia), joint capsule, surrounding tendons, and other periarticular structures frequently become irritated and inflamed. This inflammatory component contributes significantly to daily pain, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Modern biological therapies aim to influence these destructive processes using autologous substances obtained directly from the patient’s own blood. Two commonly discussed therapies offered at Clínica Medin are PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) and Orthokine® (also known as Autologous Conditioned Serum - ACS). Although both begin with a simple blood draw, they are prepared differently and serve distinct therapeutic goals.

PRP: Focusing on Tissue Repair and Regeneration

PRP is produced by centrifuging the patient’s blood to isolate and concentrate the platelets. Platelets naturally contain numerous growth factors that play a vital role in tissue repair and cell proliferation.

For this reason, Dr. Lisa Buddrus utilizes PRP primarily when tissue healing and regeneration are the main therapeutic objectives. It is widely used in non-surgical treatment plans for tendon pathologies, such as in the shoulder or Achilles tendon, as well as following ankle ligament injuries and can be used in earlier stages of joint osteoarthritis.

How is Orthokine® Different?

Orthokine® takes a unique biological pathway aimed specifically at combating inflammation. Blood is collected using a specialized syringe containing medical glass beads and is incubated at body temperature (approximately 37°C) for several hours.

During incubation, blood cells produce high amounts of naturally occurring anti-inflammatory proteins, achieving up to a 100-fold concentration. One of the primary active components is Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1Ra). This key protein acts as a natural inhibitor against Interleukin-1, a major inflammatory messenger involved in cartilage breakdown and joint pain in osteoarthritis. After incubation, the blood is centrifuged to isolate the cell-free serum, which Dr. Lisa Buddrus then injects directly into the targeted area.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: Clinica Medin;

In simplified terms: PRP focuses primarily on growth factors to support tissue repair, while Orthokine® focuses strongly on controlling chronic inflammation.

Targeted Treatment for Advanced Joint and Spine Conditions

This distinction becomes particularly relevant for patients dealing with moderate to advanced osteoarthritis or persistent inflammatory joint conditions. In these cases, the primary goal is rarely to grow new cartilage, but rather to reduce inflammatory activity, alleviate pain, and preserve joint function for as long as possible.

At Clínica Medin, Orthokine® is integrated into longer-term conservative treatment strategies for osteoarthritis of the knees, hips, shoulders, hands, and other joints. Furthermore, degenerative changes in the small facet joints of the spine often cause persistent back or neck pain; Dr. Lisa Buddrus delivers Orthokine® precisely around these affected structures to soothe irritated nerves and surrounding tissues.

Comprehensive Orthopaedic Assessment

Choosing between Orthokine®, PRP, hyaluronic acid, or other conservative interventions requires a personalized diagnostic approach based on the patient's individual symptoms, joint severity, and functional goals.

A thorough orthopaedic evaluation with Dr. Lisa Buddrus at Clínica Medin is the first step toward determining the most appropriate biological treatment plan.

About Dr. Lisa Buddrus

Dr. Lisa Buddrus is a board-certified Orthopaedic Surgeon at Clínica Medin in Lagoa, Algarve, with over 15 years of clinical experience. Having completed her specialist training in Germany across renowned centers for joint replacement, trauma, shoulder, and arthroscopic surgery, she has been practicing in the Algarve since 2017 with a dedicated focus on non-surgical orthopaedic medicine.

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