Efficiency of therapeutic ultrasound, low-level laser and compression therapy for healing of venous leg ulcers

Sahar Said,Mahmoud Mustafa Ashour,Dina Said,Medhat El-Leboudy,Nillie Ezzeldin

doi:10.4103/1110-161x.155641

Sahar Said, Mahmoud Mustafa Ashour + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4103/1110-161x.155641

Copy DOI

Journal: Egyptian Rheumatology and Rehabilitation	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2015
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Zagazig University

Abstract

To evaluate the efficiency of therapeutic Ultrasound, low level laser and compression therapy for healing of venous Leg ulcers and Compare the effect of modalities on the ulcers. Three groups were included in the study. Group I: 20 patients with leg ulcers treated with low level laser therapy. Group II: 20 patients with leg ulcers treated with ultrasound therapy. Group III: 20 patients with leg ulcers treated by compression therapy (four layer bandage) were used in this study. All patients were subjected to detailed history, clinical evaluation in addition to X-ray of legs and feet, and Doppler ultrasound of both legs. The main variables for follow up were the measurement of the area of the lesions under aseptic conditions at 0, 1, 2, 3 months and qualitative clinical evaluation of the ulcers by physician and by the patient. The results from group I, group II and group III were obtained and then compared with each others. According to the size of the ulcer, some ulcers heal within 1 month which is (15.6%) in group I, (10%) in group II, and (28.5%) in group III. Some ulcers heal within 2 months which is (28%) in group I, (23.3%) in group II and (37%) in group III. The remaining ulcers heal within 3 months or more which are (56%) in group I, (66.6%) in group II and (34.2%) in group III. Thus the percentage of healing denoting that compression bandage technique used in group III is the most efficient in healing of chronic venous leg ulcer followed by laser therapy and lastly US therapy (P = 0.04 at the end of the first month and P = 0.03 at the end of the third month). Compression therapy is the most efficient treatment of venous leg ulcers. Low level laser therapy and Ultrasound therapy are useful methods as a conservative treatment of venous leg ulcers and can be used in ulcers of small size.

Highlights

Venous ulcers represent the most prevalent form of difficult-to-heal wounds
Thirt-five ulcers were treated in 20 patients in group III, which were distributed as follows: nine patients had a single ulcer in one leg, five patients had a single ulcer in both legs, four patients had two ulcers in one leg, and two patients had two ulcers in both legs
The percentage of regression of the total surface area showed that the compression bandage technique used in group III was the most efficient for healing of chronic venous leg ulcers, followed by laser therapy, and US therapy (P = 0.04 at the end of the first month and P = 0.03 at the end of the third month)

Summary

Introduction

Venous ulcers represent the most prevalent form of difficult-to-heal wounds. The incidence of venous ulceration is increasing with the increasing age of the general population. The most common cause of lower extremity ulcers is venous insufficiency, which accounts for almost 80% of all venous ulcers [1]. Risk factors for the development of venous ulcers include venous disease, obesity, immobility, family history of varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, previous surgery for varicose veins, and congestive cardiac failure. Up to 50% of patients with chronic venous insufficiency have a history of leg injury [2]. One of the main effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is characterized by three main factors. There is an increase in the production of ATP. There is a stimulus to microcirculation, which increases the delivery of nutritional elements. New vessels are formed from pre-existing vessels [3]

Methods

Results

Conclusion