Natural help for osteoarthritis and joint degeneration
ACP Max™ is a concentrated form of plasma from your own blood that can reduce pain and promote healing in specific areas. The treatment is only offered when there is a professional basis and always after a thorough assessment by our doctors.
What is ACP Max™?
ACP Max™ is a form of platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP treatment). The treatment utilises the body’s own growth factors and proteins from your own blood to support repair of tissue in joints, tendons and muscles. During the treatment, a small amount of blood is taken from your arm, which is centrifuged to separate the part of the plasma that contains a high concentration of growth factors. This is then injected into the area where healing is to be stimulated.
Which conditions can ACP Max™ help?
Today there is scientific evidence for effect in certain degenerative and tendon disorders. The evidence is still developing, but the results are promising for some conditions:
| Area | Condition | Scientific evidence |
| Knee | Osteoarthritis (mild–moderate knee osteoarthritis) | Several studies show pain relief and better function for up to 12 months compared with saline, steroid or hyaluronic acid. |
| Foot/heel | Heel spur / Plantar fasciitis | Better pain reduction and function than steroid or shockwave in the medium term. |
| Shoulder | Chronic tendinitis in rotator cuff | Several studies show pain relief; results vary. |
| Hip | Early hip osteoarthritis or chronic inflammation of the gluteal tendons | Some studies suggest symptom relief, but evidence is still limited. |
| Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) | Degenerative or functional pain | Individual studies show less pain and better mobility, especially combined with lavage of the joint. |
| Elbow | Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) | PRP often provides better and more lasting effect than steroid after 6–12 months. |
Conditions where there is insufficient evidence
• Piriformis syndrome
• SI joint pain
• Non-specific buttock or lower back pain
• Acute muscle tears or tendon avulsions
For these conditions there is no documented effect, and ACP Max is therefore not routinely recommended.
What can you expect?
Most patients experience gradual pain reduction after 4–8 weeks. The effect can last from a few months to over a year. There is considerable individual variation, and not everyone experiences improvement. Some experience temporary tenderness or swelling in the area for a few days after the injection.
Safety
ACP Max uses your own blood and contains no added medicines. There is therefore very low risk of allergy or infection. However, as with all injections, short-term pain, swelling or bruising may occur.
How many treatments?
With ACP Max, only one treatment is given as a starting point. The purpose is to stimulate the body’s own healing process with a single injection. Additional treatments are only considered if sufficient effect is not achieved after a longer period.
How does the treatment work?
First, the doctor assesses whether your condition is suitable for ACP Max treatment. If the treatment is deemed relevant, one of our nurses takes approximately 90 ml of blood from your arm. The blood is processed in a specially designed centrifuge, which increases the concentration of growth factors up to 12 times the normal level. The doctor then injects the concentrated solution into the affected joint or around the damaged tendon. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, takes about 30 minutes and requires no anaesthesia.
Important to know
ACP Max is not a miracle cure, but a biological method that can support the body’s own healing in selected cases. The effect is best documented for knee osteoarthritis, tennis elbow and heel spur.
Prices
Read more about prices here