Patient Information: Male, Age 87 Diagnosis: Pressure Ulcer / Type II Diabetes

History: This gentleman was transferred to a skilled nursing facility for long-term care with a long standing pressure ulcer. Nursing referred him to therapy for wound care intervention due to this non-healing stage IV (full thickness) coccyx (base of the spine) pressure ulcer despite being treated weekly be a wound care doctor and receiving daily wound care by nursing for almost 2 years (643 days). He also has type II diabetes and poor sitting posture which contributed to his slow healing.

Pre-Therapy Status:
• Coccyx Wound Dimensions: 0.3 cm x 0.3 cm x 1.0 cm (length x width x depth).
• Sitting Posture: Poor, with posterior pelvic tilt increasing pressure on the coccyx.

Therapy Information:
• Modality: Megapulse® II Shortwave Diathermy.
• Frequency: 5x per week.
• Protocol Specifics: Subthermal diathermy over the coccyx wound to increase local blood circulation and promotetissue healing.
• Duration: 11 weeks.
• Other Therapy Services Provided: Postural training and education.

Outcome:
• Coccyx Wound Dimensions: Wound closed; 100% epithelial tissue (new skin cells) intact over previous wound bed.
• Sitting Posture: Improved, with more neutral pelvic alignment decreasing pressure on the coccyx.

This gentleman is happy and very satisfied with the results of his therapy! He credits the diathermy treatments with healing his wound and allowing him to live without embarrassing weekly wound doctor visits. He is now able to enjoy lunch outings for the first time in over two years!