Using Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) to effectively treat chronic soft tissue injuries has never been so popular with clinicians, according to Spectrum Technology, the driving force behind the development of the technology in the UK.

Spectrum supplies its Swiss DolorClast ESWT treatment device to clinicians in both the NHS and private settings. An increasing number of clinicians have recognised that ESWT is a viable alternative to invasive surgery when treating indications like Plantar Fasciitis and Achilles Tendonitis.

This view is supported by the realisation that the cost of using the Swiss DolorClast is considerably less than the cost of many commonly performed operations. And with 20% of orthopaedic injuries seen in outpatients being sent for surgery, if the Swiss DolorClast is available, there is a significant cost saving to benefit from - particularly in the NHS.

It's clear that ESWT is not suitable for all patients seen in an outpatient setting, however many of the remaining 80% - some of which will have soft tissue injuries and surgery may not yet be an option - could benefit from a course of treatments with the Swiss DolorClast.

With these facts in mind, Spectrum has now supplied 100 devices in the UK and 20% of those are being used in NHS treatment centres.

The popularity of ESWT in the NHS has risen sharply in the last six months, thanks to the introduction of Spectrum Technology's innovative 'pay per impulse' scheme. The scheme has proved very attractive because Spectrum Technology agrees terms with the hospital to put the device into the treatment centre without any up front charge and the centre only pays when the device is used - based on the number of impulses that are discharged.

"Confidence in Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy has definitely increased since NICE issued guidance for the use of ESWT when treating Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendinopathy, Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and Calcific Tendinitis of the shoulder," said Spectrum Managing Partner, Jim Westwood. "The fact that 100 clinics are now using the device in the UK shows a heightened sense of awareness."

Spectrum Technology is continuing to work hard to give clinicians the strongest clinical data to support the use of ESWT in clinic and is just about to review the first year data that has been gathered through its ASSERT (Assessment of effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for soft tissue injuries) national clinical database.

The database was established in March 2011 as a tool for recording the effectiveness of ESWT on a national scale and sharing 'best practice' techniques. It has been developed by Professor Nicola Maffulli, one of the most pre-eminent sport medicine and orthopaedic consultants in the UK and the Professor of Sport and Exercise Medicine at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

The soft tissue treatments that are being studied through the ASSERT audit include all of the indications that NICE has published guidance on to date. It is anticipated that ASSERT will be the largest and most comprehensive database ever collected for radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.

A group of 78 clinicians are currently uploading their ESWT clinical results to the confidential ASSERT online database and more than 30 new entries are being made each month.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive procedure and involves passing low-energy shockwaves through the surface of the skin to the injured area of the body. Passing shockwaves through the surface of the skin re-initiates the process of healing in the injured tissue that's being treated.

This prompts the body to respond naturally by increasing blood circulation, the number of blood vessels and therefore metabolism in the injured tissue. This accelerates the body's natural healing process by increasing cell generation and dissolving calcium deposits.