Phlebology > Volume 23, Number 4 > Pp. 178-183

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Original Articles

The use of therapeutic ultrasound in venous leg ulcers: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

J Taradaj ^* , A Franek ^*, L Brzezinska-Wcislo , L Cierpka , P Dolibog ^*, D Chmielewska , E Blaszczak ^* and D Kusz ^**

^* Katedra i Zaklad Biofizyki Lekarskiej Slaskiego; Katedra i Klinika Dermatologii Slaskiego; Katedra i Klinika Chirurgii Ogólnej Naczyniowej i Transplantacyjnej Slaskiego, Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach; Zaklad Fizykoterapii Akademii Wychowania Fizycznego w Katowicach; ^** Katedra i Klinika Ortopedii i Traumatologii Slaskiego, Uniwersytetu Medycznego w Katowicach, Katowice, Ligota, Poland

Correspondence: Dr Jakub Taradaj PhD PT, Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medykow 18, bud. C2 40–752 Katowice, Ligota, Poland. Email: jtaradaj{at}slam.katowice.pl

Objectives: To estimate the usefulness of therapeutic ultrasound for healing of venous leg ulcers.

Methods: Eighty-one patients were included in this study. Patients in groups 1 and 2 were treated surgically. Patients in groups 3 and 4 were treated conservatively. Patients in groups 1 and 3 were additionally treated with the ultrasound (1 MHz, 0.5 W/cm²) once daily, six times a week for seven weeks.

Results: Comparison of the number of complete healed wounds indicated statistically significant differences between groups 1 and 4 (P = 0.03), 2 and 4 (P = 0.03), 3 and 4 (P = 0.03) in favour of groups 1, 2 and 3. Comparison of the other parameters also demonstrated more efficient therapy effects in groups 1, 2 and 3 than in group 4. There were no statistical differences in all examined parameters between groups 1, 2 and 3 (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: The ultrasound is an efficient and useful method only in conservatively treated venous leg ulcers. There are no special reasons for application of the ultrasound in surgically treated patients. A well-conducted surgical operation is much more effective for a healing process than conservative pharmacological procedures.

Key Words: ultrasound • venous leg ulcers

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