Ultrasound: healing and hearing overlooked patients

An estimated 4.9 million people in the UK have diabetes, and diabetic foot ulcers affect 25% of those individuals. Over 50% of these ulcers don't heal within one year, which predisposes individuals to get infections which could lead to major lower limb amputations. Alarmingly, the five-year mortality rate following a major lower limb amputation is higher than that of most cancers.

Upto 90,000 people in any given week have a foot ulcer associated with diabetes*

*Cells4Life

Not just wounds on the foot; these ulcers serve as a stark marker of an advanced stage of disease. Those affected may be unable to walk and may be in pain. It has a huge impact on their quality of life. Many people have to take long periods off work or give up their jobs entirely, severely impacting their finances and relationships. Our research aims to transform the lives of those affected.

Working with colleagues in the Biomedical Institute for Multimorbidity at Hull York Medical School, the team were able to establish that higher doses of shockwave therapy accelerated the reduction in wound size and promoted the growth of blood vessels which improve healing.In the pilot trial 64 percent of patients receiving higher dose therapy healed within six months compared with 42 per cent of patients in the placebo group.

Patients in the trial welcomed the holistic approach and personalised care provided throughout the study. The support, including regular check-ins fostered a sense of benefit and reassurance among participants. The economic evaluation found high dose shockwave therapy was better value for money than low dose shockwave therapy or normal care alone and studies evaluating shockwave therapy and measuring quality of life, with the maximum cost of £2.5 million, would be value for money.

The SOLEFUL pilot project has laid the foundation for new clinical studies, with the potential to establish new treatment pathways and bring relief to thousands of patients each year.