High-Intensity, Low-Frequency Pulsed Electromagnetic Field as an Odd Treatment in a Patient with Mixed Foot Ulcer: A Case Report
Roberta Roberti,
Gianmarco Marcianò,
Alessandro Casarella,
Vincenzo Rania,
Caterina Palleria,
Lucia Muraca,
Rita Citraro,
Giovambattista De Sarro,
Raffaele Serra,
Pietro Romeo,
Luca Gallelli
Affiliations
Roberta Roberti
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Gianmarco Marcianò
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Alessandro Casarella
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Vincenzo Rania
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Caterina Palleria
Operative Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, Mater Domini Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Lucia Muraca
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Rita Citraro
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Giovambattista De Sarro
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Raffaele Serra
Interuniversity Center of Phlebolymphology (CIFL), International Research and Educational Program in Clinical and Experimental Biotechnology”, Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Pietro Romeo
Department of Orthopedics, Istituto di Ricovero E Cura A Carattere Scientifico, Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, 20123 Milan, Italy
Luca Gallelli
Department of Health Science, School of Medicine, University of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
Lower-extremity ulcers are associated with an increasing prevalence and significant economic and social costs. To date, there is no high-quality evidence related to an optimal treatment algorithm. A multimodal approach is needed particularly in patients with comorbidity and polytherapy. Herein, we report the case of a 94-year-old Caucasian female with comorbidity and polytherapy who was admitted to our observation for a history (1 year) of chronic painful malleolar mixed ulcer. After clinical evaluation, she was treated with a twice daily pain relief therapy and with a weekly diamagnetic therapy protocol plus a local treatment. During the clinical examination, we documented a statistically significant improvement in both pain (VAS score from 8 to 2 p p < 0.01) at the sixth week of combined treatment. The ulcer completely healed at the ninth week. This is the first study to document the effect of diamagnetic therapy as an add-on therapy in the management of wound healing. In conclusion, even if high-quality evidence is still lacking, diamagnetic therapy might represent an interesting option as an add-on treatment for ulcer.
