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Case Study/Series
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Low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound rapidly healed challenging wounds First Author: Pamela Cole Authors: Pamela Cole, MSPT, CWS We have used low-frequency, noncontact ultrasound on wounds of various etiologies for years. This case series shares some of our experiences using this technology. We evaluated the clinical effectiveness of low-frequency ultrasound by assessing the rate of wound area and volume reduction, amount of drainage, wound bed composition, and wound-related pain. Four consenting patients with multiple medical problems and challenging wounds were selected for this case series. Patient #1 had multiple pressure ulcers and severe protein and calorie malnutrition. Patient #2 had a dehisced and infected 5th toe amputation, poorly controlled diabetes, and smoked throughout therapy. Patient #3 had an infected heel wound with exposed bone and dialysis-dependent diabetes with arterial insufficiency. Patient #4 had a fibrotic venous hypertensive wound, a history of venous wounds, and obesity. Patients received 17-33 low-frequency ultrasound treatments of 1-4 minutes each over 7-17 weeks, depending on wound size. Wounds were treated until closed. Low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound appeared to decrease clinical signs of infection and drainage, stimulate wound bed granulation and epithelialization, and reduce or eliminate wound-related pain. In these 4 cases, challenging wounds expected not to heal or to have prolonged healing rates healed faster than anticipated. |
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