Noncontact Low-Frequency Ultrasound Treatment for Spinal Cord Injured Patients with Suspected Deep Tissue Injury (sDTI)

Healing sacrococcygeal pressure ulcers in the spinal cord injury rehabilitation population can be extremely challenging, problematic, and costly.  In an effort to impede the progression of sDTI into Stage III or Stage IV pressure ulcers, state-of-the-art, noncontact low-frequency ultrasound (NLFU) was utilized as an adjunct for wound healing.  The use of NLFU has been identified in the literature as an option for early intervention to improve outcomes for patients with sDTI.

The aim of these three case studies is to explore the efficacy and value of NLFU for treatment of sDTI.

Case Study #1:  65 yo male sustained a spinal cord injury to C3-7 resulting in quadriplegia.  Patient obtained a hospital-acquired sDTI of unknown etiology to the sacrum area extending to the right buttock.

NLFU:  7 treatments/20 days

Outcome:  sDTI resolved and patient discharged home

Value:  Reporting prevented and increased length of stay avoided

Case Study #2:  44 yo male sustained a C5 burst fracture resulting in quadriplegia.  Patient obtained a hospital-acquired sDTI of unknown etiology to bilateral buttocks. 

NLFU:  5 treatments/15 days

Outcome:  sDTI resolved with minimal disruption to rehabilitation schedule

Value: Reporting prevented and increased length of stay avoided

Case Study #3:  35 yo male sustained a C-5 burst fracture resulting in quadriplegia.  Patient admitted with extensive community-acquired sDTI on sacrum. 

NLFU:  8 treatments/14 days  

Outcome:  Two weeks after starting NLFU, volume had decreased by 75%, allowing negative pressure application and wound was prepared for successful skin flap.

Value:  Negative pressure applied sooner than expected and rapid healing allowed patient to participate in rehabilitation therapies.

Early intervention of sDTI with NLFU reversed the expected Stage III and IV negative outcomes normally experienced in this patient population while saving the facility considerable costs and reporting of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers.