The influence of electrical muscle stimulation for diabetic foot ulcers:

Background: A decrease in blood circulation in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) leads to a reduction in the angiogenesis process, macrophages function, neutrophils, and growth factors, which in turn slow the healing process. However, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) can be used to stimulate the muscle that leads to the lower limbs, increasing local blood circulation. Aim: This study was conducted to identify changes in the ABI and the wound development score following EMS in DFUs. Methods: We used sequential sampling of respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The control group received standard wound care, while the intervention group received standard wound care plus EMS therapy. EMS intervention was performed for 4 weeks for 30 minutes per day. Result: The intervention group that received standard wound care plus the EMS had better-wound healing than the group that only received standard wound care. Conclusion: EMS can increase nitric oxide, which causes vasodilation of the blood vessels and stimulates cell synthesis and migration to the wound area.

Key words: ■Diabetic foot ulcer  ■Electrical muscle stimulation (EMS)  ■Nitric Oxide  ■Veinoplus Arterial

Sukarni is a lecturer in the Department of Nursing Education, University of Tanjungpura, Pontianak, West Kalimantan, Indonesia; Hikmat Permana is an Internist of Hasan Sadikin Hospital Bandung, West Java; Chandra Isabella is a lecturer in the Department of Nursing Education, University of Padjadjaran, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia

Why do we prevent pressure ulcers and treat a leg ulcers?

JACQUI FLETCHER OBE Clinical Editor, Wounds UK

Ten top tips: Wound irrigation

Author: Joyce Black

Joyce Black is Professor, College of Nursing, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, US

Surgical incision care — negative pressure wound therapy and advanced dressings

This meeting report is based on the Mölnlycke-sponsored workshop held at the sixth World Union of Wound Healing Societies (WUWHS) Congress on March 1–5, 2022, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The workshop, titled ‘Surgical incision care — negative pressure wound therapy and advanced dressings: what to use and when’, included presentations from Kylie Sandy Hodgetts, Rhidian Morgan-Jones and Amit Gefen. The topics of surgical dressings, risk assessment and requirements of closed-incision negative pressure wound therapy (ciNPWT) were all explored.

Authors:

Rhidian Morgan-Jones (Chair), Amit Gefen and Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts

Rhidian Morgan-Jones (Chair) is Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Cardiff Knee Clinic, University Hospital Llandough, Cardiff, UK; Amit Gefen is Professor of Biomedical Engineering and the Herbert J. Berman Chair in Vascular Bioengineering, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts is Associate Professor, Centre of Molecular Medicine & Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University; Senior Research Fellow, Director Skin Integrity Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.

Spina Bifida with foot deformity and a chronic non-healing ulcer in a 12-year-old boy: a case study

Abstract: Congenital dermal sinuses are a distinctive form of occult dysraphism where patients present with neurological compression, tethering, or meningitis. This is a case study of a child presenting with spina bifida with foot deformity and a chronic non-healing ulcer after excision of dermal sinus, and subsequent tethered cord due to arachnoiditis. He developed osteomyelitis and postoperatively, a non-healing ulcer, in an insensate foot. The patient was successfully managed, and complete wound healing was achieved within three months. A multidisciplinary approach to monitor, prevent and treat complications that may impact functionality, quality of life and survival of young patients with congenital dermal sinuses is needed.

Key words: ■ Congenital dermal sinus ■ Foot deformity ■ Insensate foot ■ Non-healing ulcer

Sunil V. Kari, Dr, MS, General Surgery, Sou. Mandakini Memorial Clinic, A unit of Mandakini Medi Engg Health Pvt Ltd, Bhagya plaza, NCM, Hubballi, India;

Vilasavati SS. Kanthi, Dr. MBBS, DCH, Sou. Mandakini Memorial Clinic, A unit of Mandakini Medi Engg Health Pvt Ltd, Bhagya plaza, NCM, Hubballi, India.

Review on use of platelet- rich plasma for wound care in medicare population

      Wound care management has continued to evolve and considering the Medicare population (ages 65 and above), the implications of management are significant. In the Medicare population, chronic wounds rank among the topmost reasons for seeking care. One sixth of Medicare patients are affected by chronic wounds which takes a major toll economically and medically (Nussbaum et al, 2018). Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is an important aspect of management due to its regenerative properties and its ability to accelerate healing. Some researchers have opined that PRP has the unique ability to completely heal wounds, however, research findings are conflicting with regards to the outcomes based on the types of wounds such as pressure ulcers and venous ulcers. PRP is a combination of thrombocytes, cytokines and multiple growth factors which include, but are not limited to, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Insulin Growth Factor, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Transforming Growth Factor-β, and Hepatocyte Growth Factor. Owing to the growing need and concern for PRP, especially in the area of regulation and consistency of outcomes of treatment, the authors have presented an overview of this modality of wound care in the older population.

Veronica C Nwagwu is Clinical Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School; Certified Wound Care Specialist Physician, Cochair Wound Prevention and Management SIG- American Geriatrics Society (AGS); Theodore Suh is Professor of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine, University of Michigan Health System, Professor, GRECC Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital, US; Jerome Okudo is Researcher, Department of Public Health, University of Texas, Houston, Texas, US