Venous Ulcers and Hyaluronic Acid Phonophoresis

Experimental: Study Group A

This group included 32 patients with venous ulcers who received combined treatment of topical hyaluronic acid gel and therapeutic ultrasound therapy, three sessions weekly for four weeks, in addition to the traditional physical therapy management including compression therapy and active ankle exercises.

Otro: Phonophoresis group (A)

For Study Group (A):

A layer of 0.2% topical hyaluronic acid gel was applied to cover and fill the wound cavity . A sterile glove filled with ultrasound gel was, then secured to the wound with surgical plaster, and ultrasound therapy was applied concurrently. The ultrasound was delivered for 1 minute per 1 cm² of the wound. The parameters used were 0.5 W/cm², low intensity, 1 MHz frequency, and pulsed mode with a 20% duty cycle, adjusted based on the ulcer size. The gel was removed, and the wound was dried and cleaned with saline and the US head with alcohol after each session. The treatment period lasted 4 weeks, with three sessions per week.

Experimental: Study Group B

This group included 32 patients with venous ulcers who received ultrasound first then followed by topical hyaluronic acid, three sessions weekly for four weeks in addition to the traditional physical therapy management including compression therapy and active ankle exercises.

Otro: Ultrasound-preceded gel (hyaluronic acid gel) group (B):

Pulsed TUS was applied to the wound area at identical parameters to Group A (0.5 W/cm², 1 MHz, 20% duty cycle, one minute per cm²). Immediately following the TUS session, 0.2% HA gel was applied topically to the wound surface. Standard wound care was delivered as described for Group A. Treatment frequency and duration were identical to Group A.

Percentage Wound Area Reduction (PWAR)

It is calculated as: [(baseline wound area - post-treatment wound area) ÷ baseline wound area] × 100. Digital wound measurements were obtained at baseline and at week four using the validated imitoMeasure smartphone application (imito AG, Zurich, Switzerland). Standardized image acquisition procedures were followed, with the smartphone camera positioned 20-30 cm from the wound and maintained parallel to the wound surface. A calibration marker (QR code) was placed adjacent to the wound on the same plane before image capture, and a photo was taken once the app recognized the QR code. The operator delineated the wound borders on the photo using their finger then the app generated measurements of area, width, length, and circumference.

Rate of Healing

The healing rate to assess the reduction in wound surface area (WSA) over a specified time interval.

The formula used was:

Healing Rate = Change in Wound Surface Area/ Time Period.

*(Change in WSA= Initial WSA - Final WSA). For this study, the healing rate was calculated over a 4-week period. Healing Rate per 4 Weeks = (WSA at Baseline - WSA at 4 Weeks) / 4. Digital wound measurements were obtained at baseline and at week four using the validated imitoMeasure smartphone application (imito AG, Zurich, Switzerland). Standardized image acquisition procedures were followed, with the smartphone camera positioned 20-30 cm from the wound and maintained parallel to the wound surface. A calibration marker (QR code) was placed adjacent to the wound on the same plane before image capture, and a photo was taken once the app recognized the QR code. The operator delineated the wound borders on the photo using their finger then the app generated measurements of area, width, length, and circumference