Pulsed High Frequency Electromagnetic
Energy
Diapulse) for Adjunctive Care of Foot
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BY
LOUIS P. ZULLI, D.S.C., F.A.C.F.R.
Chairman, Section on Podiatric Roentgenology, Pennsylvania
College of Podiatric Medicine, Philadelphia, and Chief,
Podiatric Service, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia. |
Dr. Zulli tested "DIAPULSE" therapy for 1 year on
120 patients who were being treated for surgical and traumatic
wounds. He found that "DIAPULSE" therapy shortened
the recovery period by as much as 30 to 50%. With the adjunctive
use of "DIAPULSE’ healing was normal and uneventful
and many post-surgical and post-traumatic problems were eliminated.
Reports that pulsed high frequency electromagnetic energy, "DIAPULSE®
accelerated wound healing prompted our interest. One hundred
twenty surgical arid traumatic wounds were studied for their
response to "DIAPULSE therapy The cases were "Selecled"
on the basis of one or more of the following:
1. The patient was physiologically old (60 or more years of
age).
2. The patient presented a CHRONIC lesion (one that had resisted
therapy or when healing required 6 months or more).
3. The patient had controlled systemic problems which could
inhibit wound healing, e.g., diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular
insufficiency, lymphedema, cardiac or renal edema, or past history
of hypersensitivity to systemic medication.
4. The patient gave an idiopathic history of being a ‘‘slow
healer’’ or of being prone to secondary postoperative
in feet torts.
For a 1-year period we observed he effects of pulsed high-frequency
electromagnetic energy (DIAPULSE’ therapy) on 120 surgical
and traumatic wounds. Our criteria for selection was based,
as rioted above, on the presence of potentially troublesome
systemic conditions or the presence of prodromal suspicious
symptoms. The kinds arid numbers of cases are summarized in
Table I.
"DIAPULSE" waves apparently have the ability of stimulating
and/or physiologically increasing the natural capability of
cellular structures in maintaining their metabolic integrity.
This energy seems to produce its beneficial properties and effects
by introducing a pseudo-natural environmental force field to
a needy area. Apparently it catalytically stimulates normal
cellular ac tivity in an affected area. The action has been
described as being an "anabolic booster" to the tissues
to which it is applied. The rationale of applying "DIAPULSE’
energy preoperatively, is to prophylactically "buildup"
or reinforce the natural defense and recovery mechanisms which
may or may not be defective in the patient. The postoperative
or post-traumatic application is an extension of the same rationale.
Table 1
| Type of Lesions |
# of Lesions |
Arthroplastic (phalangeal-condylar) |
18 |
| Nail plate & matrix excision (syppurative) |
27 |
| Nail plate & matrix excision (dystrophies, mycotic)
|
34 |
| Metatarsal head resections (complete, transverse) |
3 |
|
Fibular malleolus fractures (simple) |
2 |
| Phalangeal fractures (simple) |
13 |
| Varicose ulcers (medial malleolus) |
8 |
| Neurotrophic, avascular ulcers |
11 |
| Osteomyelitis (phalangeal) |
4 |
| TOTAL |
120 |
In our cases we observed that wound healing was uneventful and
normal. It was our impression that healing, in most cases, was
accelerated by as much as 30 % to 50 %; The need for postoperative
or post-traumatic medication such as antibiotics, analgesics,
anti-inflammatory, antiedema, and enzymatic drugs was reduced
by 50% to 100%. The "usual" postoperative swelling
and discomfort were extremely minimal in these potentially difficult
or complicated cases.
DIAPULSE therapy presented many advantages. Patient acceptance,
because of delivery of energy without any discomfort to the
patient, was excellent. "DIAPULSE can he applied without
removal of casts or dressings. Its penetrating capacity is estimated
to he from 5 inches to 7 inches. The doctor’s time is
conserved, since it high safety factor lends itself to the delegation
of application to an office assistant with minimal supervision.
In our experience ‘DIAPULSE’ shortened the recovery
period, and eliminated many post-surgical and post-traumatic
problems that heretofore we had frequently encountered. With
the adjunctive use of ‘DIAPULSE" we have greater
confidence in our selection of surgical candidates with systemic
problems and in prognosticating good to excellent results.
1436 S. Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19146 |
| Bibliography |
Cameron, B. M.: Experimental acceleration of wound healing.
Amer. J. Orthop., 36: 336, 1961.
Cameron, B. M.: Three phase evaluation of pulsed high frequency,
radio short waves (Diapulse), on 646 patients. Amer. J. Orthop.,
6: 72. 1964.
Diapulse is manufactured by the Diapulse Corporation of America,
Great Neck. New York, 11021, 1-516-466-3030 or 1-800-536-6636. |
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