This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Uhlemann, C. Articles by Wollina, U. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Uhlemann, C. Articles by Wollina, U. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

Therapeutic Ultrasound in Lower Extremity Wound Management

Institute of Physiotherapy, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena

Birgit Heinig, Dipl-Med

Institute of Physiotherapy, Friedrich-Schiller-University of Jena

Uwe Wollina, MD

Departments of Physiotherapy and Dermatology, Hospital Dresden-Friedrichstadt, Dresden, Germany, wollina-uw{at}khdf.de

In medical practice, ultrasound (US) is used for diagnosis and therapy. High-frequency (1-4 MHz) and low-frequency (20-120 KHz) therapeutic US are relevant to wound healing. The heating effects of high-frequency US are important, whereas the mechanical effects of low-frequency US must be considered. The physiological effects of low-frequency US include metabolic enhancement, perfusion, wound cleansing, and the acceleration of wound granulation. The therapeutic efficacy of US depends on dose (W/cm ² time)and dosage (frequency of application, series). At adequate doses, high-frequency and low-frequency therapeutic US induce in vitro cell proliferation; protein synthesis; and the production of cytokines by fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and monocytes. The mechanical effects of low-frequency US cause transient cavitation in wound surfaces for soft and smooth wound cleaning, ulcer debridement, and the stimulation of granulation. These effects can be determined in clinical studies, though the quality of the studies done so far and of the evidence of the usefulness of US is poor. Nevertheless, high-frequency and low-frequency US may be reasonable options in the management of chronic wounds.

Key Words: therapeutic ultrasound • high-frequency • low-frequency • wound healing

The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds, Vol. 2, No. 3, 152-157 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1534734603257988


CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?