ABSTRACT
This observational case series reports the evaluation of a novel neuromuscular electrical stimulation device (geko™) that stimulates the common peroneal nerve at the fibular head as an adjunctive therapy in patients with non-healing venous leg ulcers. The aim was to evaluate and determine if the geko™ device was effective in this population and should be added to the medical supply formulary. Patients whose wounds had failed to heal within 24 weeks of standard therapy were identified in two community settings in Ontario. A total of 11 patients consented to the evaluation with a combined 107-year history of recalcitrant leg ulcers. Although the pre-geko™ healing rate was unknown, all ulcers were considered non-healing. With geko™, the average weekly percentage reduction in surface area for all patients was 4·5% and for the six adherent to geko™ and best practices 7·0%. By comparison, the average weekly percentage reduction for measurable wounds in the five non-adherent patients was 1·8%. Requirements for success appear to include an arterial status adequate for healing, effective and prompt management of wound infections and adherence to the treatment schedule. The geko™ device has been added to the medical supply formulary in one centre and is pending in the other.
Subject(s)
Electric Stimulation Therapy/instrumentation , Leg Ulcer/therapy , Peroneal Nerve , Wound Healing , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Leg Ulcer/pathology , Male , Middle Aged , Ontario , Patient Compliance , Retrospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Nonhealing wounds (stalled, healable) challenge affected individuals, wound clinicians, and society. Nonhealing may result despite local factors being corrected. The interplay between tissue degradation, increased inflammatory response, and abundant protease activity is a challenging quandary. A modified Delphi process was utilized to investigate a protease activity test and practice implications.
