High-Volume Achilles Injection, Cardiff & South Wales
Break the cycle of long-standing Achilles pain and get your rehab moving again. An ultrasound-guided injection by our highly skilled consultants, as part of your rehabilitation programme.
high-volume Achilles injection
What's included for £399
- ✓Consultation with a Consultant Radiologist
- ✓Live ultrasound guidance around the tendon
- ✓30–40ml of saline and local anaesthetic
- ✓Written report and aftercare advice
- ✓Advice on restarting your rehab
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
anaesthetic
procedure time
every year
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Why choose Acorn
Consultant-performed
Our highly skilled consultants perform the injection themselves.
Precisely placed
Live ultrasound guides the fluid into the space between tendon and sheath.
Seen within 48 hours
No long wait in pain. Most appointments are booked within 48 hours of enquiry.
HIW regulated
Inspected by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales, with GMC-registered consultants.
Resetting a tendon that's stuck healing
In long-standing Achilles tendinopathy, the tendon tries to heal but the process stalls. New blood vessels and nerves grow into the space between the tendon and its sheath, and these become a persistent source of pain, often worst first thing in the morning and when you start exercising.
A high-volume injection targets exactly that. Under ultrasound guidance, your consultant injects a fairly high volume of solution, 30–40ml of saline and local anaesthetic, into the space between the tendon and its sheath. The fluid gently pushes the sheath away from the tendon, separating and breaking off those vessels and nerves.
This helps reset the ineffective healing process and reduces your pain. It works best as part of an Achilles rehabilitation programme: the injection eases the pain, and the loading exercises that follow help the tendon recover for the long term.
A high-volume injection may help if any of these sound familiar
Three steps, one appointment
All done under local anaesthetic, guided on live ultrasound by a Consultant Radiologist.
Find the problem area
Your consultant scans the tendon on ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis and pinpoint where the new blood vessels and nerves are growing.
High-volume injection
Guided on live ultrasound, 30–40ml of saline and local anaesthetic is injected into the space between the tendon and its sheath, gently pushing the sheath away from the tendon.
Restart your rehab
Breaking off those vessels and nerves helps reset the tendon's ineffective healing and reduces pain, so you can get back to your loading programme.
High-volume injections are designed for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy. Your consultant will assess your tendon on ultrasound and tell you honestly whether it's the right treatment.
Achilles tendinopathy treatment options
Most people do best with a combination. We'll help you choose the right next step.
Rehab exercises
- What it does
- Loads and strengthens the tendon
- On its own
- Can stall when pain limits progress
- At Acorn
- Alongside every option
High-volume injection
- What it does
- Breaks off painful new vessels and nerves
- Recovery
- Home the same day, rehab soon after
- At Acorn
- £399
PRP (ACP)
- What it does
- Growth factors from your own blood
- Treatment
- Course of 3 injections
- At Acorn
- £500
Surgery
- What it does
- Operation on the tendon
- Recovery
- Hospital procedure, long recovery
- At Acorn
- Onward referral if needed
Your procedure, step by step
Meet your consultant
We talk through your symptoms, rehab so far and medication, and answer your questions.
Scan the tendon
We look at the tendon on ultrasound, then clean the skin and prepare for the injection.
The injection (about 30 mins)
The solution is guided between tendon and sheath on live ultrasound. You may feel pressure or tightness.
Home with a plan
Aftercare and rehab advice before you leave, with a written report to follow.
What recovery looks like
Same day
You'll walk out of the clinic. The area may feel numb or tight for a few hours. For a right Achilles, arrange a lift home.
First few days
Some aching or tightness around the tendon is normal. Walking is fine, but avoid running, jumping and high-impact activity.
Back to rehab
Restart your loading programme when your consultant advises, building up gradually with your physio.
Following weeks
With pain reduced, you can progress your rehab further than before. Keep it consistent.
3–6 months
Typical length of relief. For many people, injection plus rehab settles the tendon for longer.
Any concerns
Call us on 029 2199 9300 if the area becomes hot, red or increasingly painful, or you feel unwell.
Preparation — no fasting needed
How to prepare for your Achilles injection
Afterwards: walking is fine, but avoid running, jumping and high-impact activity for the first few days. Restart your rehab programme when your consultant advises, then build up gradually.
What our patients say
I was given an almost immediate appointment with clear guidance. Dr Syed conversed with me in a reassuring manner. I left with excellent aftercare advice. The next day I am completely pain free!
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by Dr Syed Junaid and his team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Excellent service. From a fantastic easy online booking service to the procedure itself — the doctor fed back the result directly to me. Very efficient and professional.
Transparent, all-inclusive
One price for the whole procedure, with no hidden extras.
PRP (Arthrex ACP)
- ✓Growth factors from your own blood
- ✓Course of 3 injections
- ✓For chronic tendon problems
High-volume Achilles injection
- ✓30–40ml of saline and local anaesthetic
- ✓Breaks off painful vessels and nerves
- ✓Ultrasound-guided by a consultant
Plantar fascia + ankle block
- ✓For plantar fasciitis under the heel
- ✓Heel numbed first with an ankle block
- ✓Ultrasound-guided steroid injection
Please note: a referral is required for all injections. This can come from your GP, physiotherapist or consultant, or you can see one of our doctors first. Please email your referral to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment.
All prices include consultation, ultrasound-guided procedure, medication, written report and aftercare advice.
Achilles injections at our Penarth clinic
Patients travel to us from Cardiff, Newport, Bridgend, Barry, Caerphilly, Cowbridge, Swansea and the Vale.
Common questions about Achilles injections
How much does a high-volume Achilles injection cost in Cardiff?
A high-volume Achilles injection at Acorn is £399 all-inclusive. That covers the consultant consultation, the ultrasound-guided injection, the saline and local anaesthetic, sterile equipment, a written report and aftercare advice.
What is a high-volume Achilles injection?
It's an ultrasound-guided treatment for Achilles tendinopathy. A fairly high volume of solution, 30–40ml of saline and local anaesthetic, is injected into the space between the Achilles tendon and its sheath. This gently pushes the sheath away from the tendon, breaking off the new blood vessels and nerves that grow there in long-standing tendon problems and cause pain.
How does it work?
In long-standing Achilles tendinopathy, the tendon tries to heal but gets stuck. New blood vessels and nerves grow into the area and become a source of pain. Separating the sheath from the tendon breaks these off, which helps reset the ineffective healing process and reduces pain.
Who is it for?
It's designed for mid-portion Achilles tendinopathy, where the pain is a few centimetres above the heel, that hasn't settled with a good rehab programme. It's often used in runners, walkers and active people whose recovery has stalled.
Do I need a referral?
Yes, a referral is required for all injections. It should come from a health professional, such as your GP, physiotherapist, podiatrist or consultant, who feels the procedure will benefit you. Please email it to contact@acornprivateclinic.co.uk before your appointment. No referral? Book a £120 consultation with one of our doctors first.
Do I still need to do rehab?
Yes. The injection should be part of an Achilles rehabilitation programme for the best results. It reduces pain so you can load and strengthen the tendon, and it's that loading programme that helps the tendon recover long-term.
Is it painful?
Local anaesthetic is part of the solution, so the area goes numb as the injection goes in. Most people feel pressure or a tight, full feeling around the tendon rather than sharp pain. It usually settles within a day or two.
How long does it take?
The procedure itself takes about 30 minutes. Allow a little extra time for your consultation beforehand and aftercare advice afterwards.
How long does the relief last?
Typically 3–6 months, which gives you a window to progress your rehab. For many people, the combination of injection and rehab settles the tendon for longer.
What should I avoid afterwards?
Walking is fine, but avoid running, jumping and other high-impact activity for the first few days. Your consultant will tell you when to restart your rehab programme, then build back up gradually.
What are the risks?
Complications are uncommon. You may have some aching, tightness or bruising around the tendon for a few days. Infection and bleeding are rare, and we use sterile technique throughout.
Can I drive home afterwards?
If it's your right Achilles, we recommend arranging a lift, as the local anaesthetic can leave the area numb for a few hours.
Is it covered by health insurance?
Many insurers cover it when there's a clinical need. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz. Check with your insurer and bring an authorisation code.
Where can I have an Achilles injection near Cardiff?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, Stanwell Road, CF64 2AD), 10 minutes from Cardiff city centre with free street parking.
Get back to running and walking.
An ultrasound-guided high-volume injection for Achilles tendinopathy, performed by our consultants. Home the same day, most appointments within 48 hours. £399 all-inclusive.
Still not sure? Start with a £120 consultation.
We'll examine you, scan if needed and recommend the right treatment. Book your procedure the same day and the £120 is credited against it.
Book a consultation