ModalitiesModalities
• Whirlpool
• Pulsatile Lavage with Suction
• Ultrasound
• Normothermia Therapy
• Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
• Hyperbaric Oxygen
• Electrical Stimulation
WhirlpoolWhirlpool
• Hydrotherapy
• Standard treatment for many years
Effects of WhirlpoolEffects of Whirlpool
• Cleanses wound
• Removes debris & exudate through mechanical debridement
• Softens hard eschar
• Non-selective debridement
• Hydrates wound
• Thermal effect
• Neuronal effects
In VivoIn Vivo
• Increased healing with whirlpool vs. wet-moist dressings, but a large number of deteriorating wounds in both groups
• Burke DT et al American Journal Physical and Medical Rehabilitation
1998;77(5):394-398.
Indications for useIndications for use
• Wounds with loosely adherent necrotic tissue
• Exudate
• Debris
• Extensive psoriasis or burns
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Evidence of healthy granulating wound bed
• Compromised cardiovascular or pulmonary function
• Plebitis, Renal failure
• Temperature 101.9°F or greater
• Lethargic
• Venous ulcer/position
• Arterial insufficiency/burns
• Neuropathic foot ulcer
• Dry gangrene
• Lower extremity edema
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• 5-20 minutes
• 1x daily
• 8-15 psi - irrigation > can damage tissue
Pulsatile Lavage with Pulsatile Lavage with Suction (PLWS)Suction (PLWS)
Simpulse Varicare System Unit
Davol, Inc.
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• Jet lavage used in Vietnamby oral surgeons
• PLWS - suction and PSI controlled
Effects of PLWSEffects of PLWS
• Cleansing
• Debridement
• Suction = negative pressure
• Impact pressure
In VivoIn Vivo
• 2.5x granulation with PLWS vs. whirlpool
• Greater wound closure– 2 hospitals - 1 housed controls and
other PLWS subjects– Haynes LJ et al, 1994
• Cleansing - # of anecdotal and observational reports with mixed results
Indications for useIndications for use
• Infection
• Loose debris
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Sterile process is required
• No value - if eschar is yellow, adherent collagenous
• Stop if – no increase in granulation after 1 week– no decrease in necrotic tissue after
1 week
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• 4-15 psi– 8 psi bacterial reduction studies– 13 psi inflammation studies
• 1x daily
UltrasoundUltrasound
• Mechanical vibration transmitted >20 kHz
• US needs water or tissues to conduct/transport vibration
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• 1950’s US used to treata number of disorders
Effects of USEffects of US
• Thermal
– Heat tissue
• Cavitation bubbles
• Acoustic Streaming
– Enhances circulatory flow
– Possibly alters cell membranes
– May stimulate protein synthesis
– Stimulates fibroblasts & macrophages
– Promotes angiogenesis
– May accelerate inflammatory phase
In VivoIn Vivo
• Pulsed US increased granulation tissue in rabbits
– Dyson M et al
• Increased tensile strength in animal model wounds
– Byl N et al, Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 1993
• 4 week study– Controlled, 25 subjects– Venous ulcers decreased in size– No information about baseline groups
– Dyson M et al, Ultrasonics 14:232,1976
Indications for useIndications for use
• Chronic diabetic foot ulcers & pressure ulcers
– With absence of inflammatory phase
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Pregnancy
• Malignancies
• Vascular abnormalities
• Deep thrombosis
• Emboli
• Acute wound inflammation
• Fractures
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• 0.5 W/cm2, 3 MHz
• Pulse 2 sec on/8 sec off
• 5 minute duration
• 3x/week
• 2 weeks
Ultraviolet Radiation Ultraviolet Radiation TherapyTherapy
• Radiant energy between visible light & x-rays (400 - 180 nm)
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• Sun worshipping/healing
• Hippocrates 460 -370 BC– Prescribed sunbath
• 1877 bacteriocidal properties of light demonstrated
UVA - 315-400 nm - tanning
UVB - 290-315 nm - sunburn, blistering, hyperplasia, carcinogenesis
UVC - 180-290 nm - germicidal, filteredout by ozone layer
Penetration into skin increaseswith longer wavelength
Effects of UV RadiationEffects of UV Radiation
• Induces inflammatory response• Stimulates epithelialization • Increases epidermal turnover• Increases epidermal thickness stratum
corneum (hyperplasia)• Enhances granulation tissue formation• Increases blood flow to wounds• Latent erythema• Bacteriocidal effects
In Vitro StudiesIn Vitro Studies
• UVA, UVB, UVC
• Shown to kill microorganisms
– Serum sterilization
– Surgical theater decontamination
– Some 99.99% kill rate in antibiotic resistant bacterial pathogens (MRSA)
In Vivo StudiesIn Vivo Studies
• Some antibiotic resistant pathogens killed• Rat & rabbit showed increased healing,
decreased healing in guinea pig – Mechanical wounds - not chronic
• In humans small number of studies -positive results in superficial wounds,and in studies combined with US
– Nussbaum E et al Phys Ther 1994;78:812
Indications for useIndications for use
• Slow or non-healing wounds
• Necrotic wounds
• Purulent, infected wounds
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Pulmonary tuberculosis
• Cardiac, liver, or renal disease, lupus
• Wound carcinoma
• Fever
• Eczema, psoriasis
• Hyperthyroidism
• Severe diabetes
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• Apply sunblock (SPF 30 or >) to periwound or drape
• Exposure time varies with infection 1-2x daily 45-120 seconds
Normothermic Wound Normothermic Wound TherapyTherapy
• 37 +/- 1C
• Cellular function & enzymatic and biochemical reactions are optimized at normal body temperatures
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• Hippocrates 460-370“Wounds love warm…”
• Mid 1900’s - radiant heat from infrared lamps too dry
Wound BedWound Bed
• Wounds are hypothermic (25-32C)
• Vasoconstrictive
• Depressed neutrophil activity
• Increased risk of infection
Warm-Up Warm-Up Active Wound TherapyActive Wound Therapy
Augustine Medical, Inc
Normothermia effectsNormothermia effects
• Skin and subcutaneous tissue warmed
• Increases blood perfusion
• Increases local tissue metabolism
• Decreases affinity of O2 to Hb
• Increases neutrophil activity
• Decreases vulnerability to infection
In VitroIn Vitro
• Neonatal wound fluid heated & applied to fibroblasts decreased inhibitory effect of wound fluid on fibroblasts
– Park H et al, Wounds 1998;10:189-192
In VivoIn Vivo
• Normal subjects had increased skin surface temperature, subcutaneous temperature, and oxygen tension after treatment with infrared heat plate - effects last 3 hours after treatment
• Increased healing in rats with ischemic wounds
• Clinical Studies
– Kloth LC et al, Adv Skin Wound Care 2000;13:69-74
IndicationsIndications
• Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
• Venous leg ulcers that have not responded to standard care
• Neuropathic foot ulcers that have not responded to standard care
• Surgical
• Lower extremity ulcers, venous, arterial, diabetic, neuropathic
ContraindicationsContraindications
• 3rd degree burns
Normothermic Wound Normothermic Wound TherapyTherapy
• Prepare periwound tissue
• Apply heat
• Treat 1 hour, 3x per day
• Change dressings PRN
Negative Pressure Negative Pressure Wound TherapyWound Therapy
• Open cell foam dressing in wound cavity & applying controlled sub-atmospheric pressure 125 mm Hg below ambient pressure
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• Negative pressure increases tension among adjacent cells
• Alters cell shapes, thereby stimulating growth & division
• V.A.C., 1995
The V.A.C. (Vacuum-The V.A.C. (Vacuum-Assisted Closure)Assisted Closure)
Kinetic Concepts, Inc (KCI)
The Mini-V.A.C.The Mini-V.A.C.
Negative Pressure Negative Pressure Wound Therapy EffectsWound Therapy Effects• Increases vascular perfusion
• Removes excess fluid
• Decreases bacterial colonization
• Removes inhibitory factors
• Tension/deformation of cells
• Increases rate of granulation
• Enhances epithelial migration
• Increases flap survival
In VivoIn Vivo
• Animal studies (pigs)– Granulate faster than saline
wet-to-moist
• Staph epidermis S Aureus– 1000x compared to standard
• Small number of controlled studies - small number of subjects
Indications for useIndications for use
• Stage III, IV pressure ulcers
• Venous, arterial, neuropathic
• Subacute, acute — burns, dehisced incisions, mesh skin flaps, grafts, muscle flaps
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Necrotic tissue
• Untreated osteomyelitis
• Malignancy in wound
• Fistulas to organs or body cavities
• Precaution - bleeding, anticoagulant use
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• 2 Foams
– Black - polyurethane - deep, burns, flaps
– White - soft, superficial, tunneling
• Irrigate & debride wound with each dressing change (pulsed lavage & suction)
• Cut foam to fit wound
• Continuous or intermittent
• Dressing change
Hyperbaric oxygenHyperbaric oxygen
• 100% O2 at greater than ATA pressure
Oxygen in WoundsOxygen in Wounds
• Perfusion
• Collagen deposition
• Granulation
• Leukocyte function
• Bacteriocidal effects
Hypoxia vs HyperoxiaHypoxia vs Hyperoxia
Hyperoxia
• increases rate of collagen synthesis
• accelerates healing & epithelialization
Hypoxia
• increases angiogenesis
Systemic vs. TopicalSystemic vs. Topical
• Systemic
– 100% O2 at 1.5-3.0 ATA
– 1943 - US Navy - decompression sickness and air embolism
– Crush injuries, radionecrosis, osteomyelitis, skin flaps, etc.
– Contraindications
– Cost
– Accessibility
Topical Topical
• Topical– 1.03-1.06 ATA– Direct contact with wound– Contraindications– Cost– Ease of use
Advanced Hyperbaric Technologies, Inc.
ChamberChamber
• 50 mm Hg above atmospheric pressure
• Pulsating (0 to 50 mm Hg)
• Latex sleeve
• Humidified oxygen
Advanced Hyperbaric Technologies, Inc.
Sacral UnitSacral Unit
• 22 mm Hg
• 2-3 liters of humidified O2/minute
• Constant pressure
• Seal holds unit to wound
In Vivo Studies In Vivo Studies
• 8 subjects– Stage III or IV sacral pressure ulcers
• 34.4% wound reduction in 4 weeks
• Range of healing times 8-49 weeks
• Largest ulcers – 87.75 cm2 - 16 weeks– 52.64 cm2 - 22 weeks
Therapy ProtocolTherapy Protocol
• 2 x 60 or 90-minute treatments/day
• 5 days/week
Electrical StimulationElectrical Stimulation
• Use of capacitive coupledelectrical current to transferenergy to a wound
• Current is transferred throughwet pad in contact
Historical PerspectiveHistorical Perspective
• Gillbert, 1600’s - 1st publication
• Galvani, 1791 - Direct current
• Matteucci - Current of injury
• 1960’s - Use of electrical current to heal wounds
Electrical TermsElectrical Terms
• Anode = positive pole
• Cathode = negative pole
• DC = direct current or galvanic
Skin Battery PotentialSkin Battery Potential
• Outside of skin: electronegative
• Inside of skin: electropositive
• Current of Injury– Shift in polarity– Outside: electropositive– Inside: electronegative
Galvanotaxic EffectsGalvanotaxic Effects
• Cells move along the pathof current flow
• Neutrophils, fibroblasts, epithelial cells to cathode
• Macrophages to anode
• Mast cells repelled by anode
Summary Effects (polar) Summary Effects (polar) Negative - CathodeNegative - Cathode
• Increase blood flow• Attracts: neutrophils, epithelial cells, &
fibroblasts• Stimulates proliferation in fibroblasts &
collagen production• Enhances growth of granulation tissue• Induces epidermal cell migration• Stimulates neurite growth directionally• Solubilizes necrotic tissue• Decreases edema/inhibits edema• Anti-microbial
Summary Effects (polar) Summary Effects (polar) Positive - AnodePositive - Anode
• Attracts macrophages
• Promotes epithelial growth and organization
• Decreases mast cells in healing wounds
• Acts as a vasoconstrictor
• Decreases blood flow
• Anti-microbial
Stimulatory EffectsStimulatory Effectson Cellson Cells
• Increases proliferation of fibroblasts
• Increases calcium uptake
• Stimulates receptors for growth factors
• Increases growth of neurite
• Increases ATP & AA transport
• Protein synthesis
Effects on Blood FlowEffects on Blood Flow• Vasodilation• Increases permeability• Secondary response of galvanotaxis &
chemotaxis• Increases vascularity• Increases O2
• Decreases oxygen derived from free radical damage
• Decreases metabolites• Decreases necrosis• Increases growth
Antibacterial EffectsAntibacterial Effects
Inhibition of
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Staph aureus
• E. Coli
• Staph epidermis
Indications for UseIndications for Use
• Pressure ulcers
• Vascular ulcers
• Surgical wounds
• Neuropathic ulcers
ContraindicationsContraindications
• Basil or squamous cell carcinoma
• Untreated osteomyelitis
Electrical Stimulation Electrical Stimulation TherapyTherapy
• DC, 1 mAmp/inch2 electrode– 30-60 minutes/day– 5 days/week
• HVPC, 150 V – 120 pulse/sec, 255 s pp– 30 minutes/day– 5 days/week
Clinical Modalities Clinical Modalities ResearchResearch
• Evaluate effectiveness of modality
• Why does it work?
• Interactions with other modalities
• What population does it work with?