title: Current status of the use of modalities in wound care: electrical stimulation and ultrasound therapy.
abstract: Wound healing is a complex pathway that requires cells, an appropriate biochemical environment (i.e., cytokines, chemokines), an extracellular matrix, perfusion, and the application of both macrostrain and microstrain. The process is both biochemically complex and energy dependent. Healing can be assisted in difficult cases through the use of physical modalities. In the current literature, there is much debate over which treatment modality, dosage level, and timing is optimal. The mechanism of action for both electrical stimulation and ultrasound are reviewed along with possible clinical applications for the plastic surgeon.
authors.affiliation: Chicago and Olympia Fields, Ill. From the University of Illinois at Chicago and the St. James Hospital and Healthcare Centers.
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ennis
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Plummer
authors.forename: Patricio
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Meneses
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D006801:Humans; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014945:Wound Healing; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000628:therapy*