The Arthrex ACP Double Syringe System is used to obtain platelet rich plasma (PRP) from a patient’s blood, which is then re-injected under ultrasound guidance to promote the healing of tendon scar tissue.

In recent years there have been rapid developments in the use of growth factors for accelerated healing of injury. Growth factors are released from the platelets which are found in the blood stream and influence the biological processes necessary for repair of soft tissues such as muscle, tendon and ligament following acute traumatic or overuse injury.

The best way of delivering higher doses of growth factors to injured tissue, is to inject at the site of an injury. The most commonly utilised techniques is known as autologous blood injection. Clinical trials in humans are very limited so far, but results are promising in terms of earlier return to play following muscle and particularly tendon injury.

This treatment has been shown to be effective in treating stubborn injuries like tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis and knee tendonitis for athletes of all types. It appears to be a better option for problems that don’t have a great solution - it’s nonsurgical, safe and uses the body’s own cells to help it heal.

The procedure involves a doctor drawing blood from the patient. The patient’s blood is then placed in a centrifuge that rotates at high speed, separating red blood cells from the platelets that release proteins and other particles involved in the body’s self-healing process.

Once separated, the healing platelet cells from the red blood cells are then injected back into the patient's injury. This then kick-start’s the body's healing process, or at least accelerates it.

The use of growth factors in sports medicine is restricted under the terms of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) anti-doping code, particularly because of concerns regarding the potential for abuse as performance-enhancing agents. As of yet this treatment is still regarded as prohibitive by WADA in elite athletes.

Vale Healthcare is the first in Wales to provide this innovative treatment. Click here for more information about the technique and the first procedure performed at Vale Healthcare's Cardiff Bay Clinic.

Download the Patient Information leaflet for this treatment