High-voltage electrical stimulation for the management of Stage III and IV pressure ulcers among adults with spinal cord injury: Demonstration of its utility for recalcitrant wounds below the level of injury

Patients with spinal cord injuries are prone to pressure ulcers due to factors like paralysis and loss of sensation. These ulcers are typically treated by relieving pressure, improving nutrition, and applying dressings. However, some ulcers don't respond to these standard treatments. Electrical stimulation (ES) is believed to aid healing by boosting protein production and improving blood flow. This approach has shown promise in animal studies, but there's limited rigorous human research. This case series demonstrates how ES can help heal severe pressure ulcers that haven't responded to standard care. The study showed that ES could be a valuable tool in treating these difficult wounds.

• 1
  Long-standing pressure ulcers (11–14 months duration) in SCI patients completely healed after 7 to 22 weeks of treatment with high-voltage ES.
• 2
  High-voltage ES enhanced the healing of Stage III–IV pressure ulcers that were otherwise unresponsive to standard wound care.
• 3
  ES, when applied directly to the wound bed for 60 minutes, 3–5 times a week, with specific intensity and frequency parameters, proved effective.