Abstract
Chronic venous leg ulcers are common. If good ulcer care alone does not lead to healing, other treatment options are warranted. Physical therapies have gained a wider interest in wound healing in general. In the present review, the authors will focus on recent advancements in various types of physical leg ulcer treatment (except compression therapy). Available evidence suggests that low-frequency therapeutic ultrasound, negative topical pressure therapy and electrical stimulation can contribute to improved wound healing, while other technologies need further research. Major effects include stimulation of granulation, microcirculatory effects, debridement and disinfection, which may result in higher healing rates and more rapid healing. These techniques are not negatively influenced by either bacterial multiresistance. They can also be used when there are limited budgets for drug therapies.
Financial & competing interest disclosure
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.