The UK Stem Cell Foundation is funding the first ever human study which will involve 10 patients.

It is hoped that this could lead to access to a new treatment within three to five years.

Stem cells will be removed from each patient, expanded in the laboratory, then implanted onto the damaged tendon.

Andy Goldberg, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, who will lead the study, said: "There is a real need for effective, non-surgical treatments for Achilles Tendinopathy.

"We have seen stem cell treatments produce impressive outcomes in race horses and this trial will be the first step towards seeing if this is also a viable treatment in humans.

"If things go well, we are hopeful this treatment could have a life-changing impact on patients."

Sir Richard Sykes, Chairman of the UK Stem Cell Foundation, added: "The UK Stem Cell Foundation is delighted to support this first-in-man study.

"Our mission is to help address the critical gap in funding that is hindering the progress of promising stem cell research into new treatments.

"The Autologous Stem Cells in Achilles Tendinopathy study (ASCAT) is an exciting example of taking preclinical work in a natural animal disease model and translating it for human benefit".

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Stem cell treatment used on horses could help human athletes