title: Early and long-term results of physical methods in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate early and long-term results of physical methods in the treatment of venous leg ulcers.
  
  
  METHODS
  In group A after surgical operation, 40 patients were treated with the high-voltage stimulation (HVS) (100 µs, 100 Hz, 100 V) and drug therapy. In group B after operation, 37 patients were treated with ultrasound (0.5 W/cm(2), 1 MHz) and drug therapy. In group C after operation, 33 patients were treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (810 nm, 65 mW) and drug therapy. In group D after operation, 35 patients were treated with the compression stockings (25-31 mmHg) and drug therapy. In group E after operation, 37 patients were only treated with drug therapy. Group F consisted of 32 patients, conservatively treated with the HVS and drug therapy. Group G consisted of 20 patients, conservatively treated with ultrasound and drug therapy. Group H consisted of 21 patients, conservatively treated with LLLT and drug therapy. Group I consisted of 30 patients, conservatively treated with compression and drug therapy. Group J consisted of 27 patients only treated with drug therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both short and long term parameters showed that compression therapy is the most efficient in ulcer healing. The electrical and ultrasound methods are less effective. The laser therapy ared useless.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Superficial venous surgery in addition to compression therapy is the most efficient treatment of venous leg ulcers. The compression therapy should be continued both surgically and conservatively treated patients with healed ulcers. In special cases after superficial venous surgery (isolated superficial reflux) compression therapy could be applied only to the time of ulcer closure without continuing it longer. HVS and ultrasound therapy are useful methods in conservative treatment of venous leg ulcers. For surgically-treated patients these physical therapies are efficient only in superficial plus deep reflux cases. HVS and ultrasound can be alternative methods, but are less effective in recurrence risk. LLLT is not an efficient physical method in treatment of venous leg ulcers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medykow 18 budynek C2, 40-752 Katowice, Poland. jtaradaj@sum.edu.pl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taradaj
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cierpka
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brzezinska-Wcislo
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blaszczak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polak
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chmielewska
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krol
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dolibog
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kucio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007871:Leg Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011446:Prospective Studies; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D013997:Time Factors; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures