Wound healing is enhanced with which ultrasound mode?

• A. Low-intensity, pulsed ultrasound
• B. High-intensity, continuous ultrasound
• C. Medium-intensity, continuous ultrasound
• D. Ultrasound is not used for wound healing

Answer: (A)

Wound healing is best supported by the non-thermal, mechanical effects of ultrasound delivered at low intensity in a pulsed pattern. The pulsed, low-intensity approach avoids heating tissue while still providing micro-movements and signaling that stimulate cells involved in repair. This includes promoting fibroblast activity, collagen production, angiogenesis, and growth-factor signaling, all of which help wounds close and heal more efficiently.

Using higher intensity or continuous ultrasound tends to generate heat, which can cause tissue irritation or damage and is not the typical mechanism used to enhance healing. While that mode can be useful for other therapeutic goals, it doesn’t provide the same favorable, non-thermal stimulus for wound repair that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound does. And if ultrasound is used at moderate or high intensities, the non-thermal healing benefits are diminished or offset by the risks of thermal effects.

So the mode that best enhances wound healing is low-intensity, pulsed ultrasound.