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.
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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.
