News: ESWT scores highly in latest achilles tendonitis clinical trial
A recently-published clinical trial that was conducted by the University Hospital of Wales and presented at BOFAS has ruled that Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) gives a “significant improvement” in clinical outcome when used to treat achilles tendonitis.
Spectrum Technology’s Swiss DolorClast treatment device utilises ESWT technology and is commonly used to treat achilles tendonitis indications.
A total of 46 patients took part in the trial and were split into two cohort groups: 23 underwent shockwave therapy treatment, while the remaining 23 underwent physiotherapy. The ESWT patient group received a three-week course of treatment, with typical 2000 impulses per session once a week. The physiotherapy group was subjected to eccentric loading exercises. Patients were assessed at 12 weeks using AOFAS, VISA-A scores and repeat ultrasound scan.
The AOFAS scores increased in both groups from 64 to 86 with ESWT and from 72 to 79 with physiotherapy. VISA-A scores also increased in both groups from 39 to 79 with ESWT and from 36 to 56 with physiotherapy. The ultrasound scan results showed that the tendon girth receded from 9.8mm to 8.7mm in the ESWT group and from 10.9mm to 9.9mm in the physiotherapy group.
The conclusion of the trial, conducted by Paringe V, Vannet Ni, Ferran N and Gandour A, states: “Clinically significant improvement was found in the patients treated with ESWT as compared to the physiotherapy sessions, while radiological evidence showed parallel improvement in both the groups”.
EDITORS’ NOTES
Spectrum Technology UK Ltd is the exclusive distributor for the Swiss DolorClast low-energy radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy device in the UK
NICE advised that radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (rESWT) is considered a safe treatment option for the treatment of Plantar Fasciitis, Achilles Tendonopathy and Tennis Elbow in August 2009
Spectrum Technology's Swiss DolorClast device has amassed more clinical trial data between levels one and two than any other radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy device in the world
The Swiss DolorClast device is widely used in top-flight sport to treat and manage injuries. The device is used by a number of football teams in the English Premier League and was also used by athletes at the recent Olympic Games in China and Canada
The Swiss DolorClast is the only rESWT device to be actively promoted in the UK that administers low-energy impulses during treatment. As yet, there have been no reported ruptures as a result of using the Swiss DolorClast
The Swiss DolorClast radial Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy device was first launched in 2000. It was designed and continues to be manufactured by Electro Medical Systems (EMS) in Switzerland
The Swiss DolorClast device delivers shockwaves to the injured area of the body by converting kinetic energy into a shockwave - an action that is clearly illustrated by Newton's Cradle
Spectrum Technology is proud to conduct its clinical trials with the support of some of the UK's leading medical professionals. This list includes Professor Nicola Maffulli, one of the most pre-eminent sports medicine and orthopaedic consultants in the UK