title: Physical therapy in the treatment of venous leg ulcers: biophysical mechanisms.
abstract: ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ The present study sought to estimate the hemodynamic effects inside wounds after applying infrared thermography. Clinical results were analyzed to evaluate any correspondence with hemodynamic events occurring inside the wounds.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group 1 consisted of 20 patients with venous leg ulcers (12 women, 8 men). Patients from group 1 received 1 high-voltage stimulation (HVS) procedure. Group 2 consisted of 23 patients (16 women, 7 men). Patients from group 2 received 1 ultrasound (US) procedure. Group 3 consisted of 21 patients (13 women, 8 men). Patients from group 3 received 1 low-level laser therapy (LLLT) procedure. Group 4 consisted of 23 patients (15 women, 8 men). Patients from group 4 received 1 compression therapy (CT) procedure. Group 5 consisted of 19 patients (11 women, 8 men). Patients from group 5 received 1 quasi-CT procedure. Infrared thermography was used to monitor arterial hemodynamic effects for each ulcer. Infrared thermography, based on analysis of wound surface temperatures, was used to reflect normal or abnormal arterial circulation in capillaries. The average and maximal temperatures before and after each physical procedure were measured 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes afterward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The application of HVS and LLLT did not change the temperature inside the wounds. A significant temperature increase was noted after application of US and CT. The quasi-CT induced a thermal effect (only for a few minutes), but was not as intense as the effect of the compression stockings. The measurements showed a prolonged and steady thermal effect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hemodynamic effect (improvement of arterial microcirculation inside the venous leg ulcer) is one of the most significant biophysical mechanisms of healing after clinically efficient compression therapy. Hemodynamic reactions are not basic mechanisms of high voltage stimulation and ultrasound therapy during the healing of venous leg ulcers. Computed thermography is a simple and useful tool to measure hemodynamic effects in wound healing. ﻿﻿﻿.
authors: ﻿Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland; Department of Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland; email: jtaradaj@slam.katowice.pl.
authors: Jakub
authors: J
authors: Taradaj
authors: Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Andrzej
authors: A
authors: Franek
authors: Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Blaszczak
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Polak
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Daria
authors: D
authors: Chmielewska
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Piotr
authors: P
authors: Krol
authors: Department of Medical Biophysics, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
authors: Patrycja
authors: P
authors: Dolibog