The article presents the action of microcurrents and the methodology for performing the treatment of pressure ulcers.
What are pressure ulcers?
The pressure ulcer, in its international definition, is a tissue lesion, with necrotic evolution, which affects the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layers, until reaching, in the most serious cases, the musculature and the bones [http://www.epuap.org].
What are microcurrents?
Microcurrents (MES) are the type of therapy in which the currents have a very low intensity measured in uA from 1 to 999uA. Compared to other methods, stimuli below the perception threshold are used. Microcurrents are therefore not felt by the patient.
The therapeutic effect of this type of current is mainly used in the treatment of acute and chronic pain. However, it can be used in the treatment of pressure ulcers because they accelerate tissue regeneration processes.
Reactions that occur in the treated tissue:
- an electric and chemical balance is obtained in the damaged cells,
- accelerates the transport of amino acids,
- increases the concentration of ATP,
- the diseased tissues show a greater electrical resistance.
Microcurrents also accelerate the movement of ions that can penetrate tissues and facilitate regenerative processes [High-voltage electrostimulation in the treatment of wounds and edema that are difficult to heal]
How to perform the treatment with microcurrents?
- First phase – prior to wound healing
- Cathode (-) with a sterile gauze base with physiological solution placed directly on the wound.
- Purpose: stimulation of the granulation process, purification of the wound by purulent secretion
- Second phase – after wound healing.
- The active electrode is an anode (+) placed directly on the scar.
- Purpose: stimulation of the re-epithelialization process.
- The optimal duration of treatment in both phases is between 15 and 30 minutes.
- The number of series should depend on the condition of the treated tissue. A series can last from 10 days to 6 weeks.