According to studies, venous ulcers are the most common of ulcers in the lower extremities, accounting for 70 percent of leg ulcers to venous insufficiency. It costs expenditures of billions of dollars annually, for diagnosis and treatment. Still, good patient outcomes come up at less than 70 percent. It has then become imperative for the health care system to come up with new therapeutic techniques that are effective as they are cost efficient; one of the most recent uses of sonography is therapy for leg ulcers.
Venous Insufficiency?
Venous insufficiency is a health condition where there is a problem with the veins, usually the lower extremities, causing a build-up of unoxygenated blood in the extremities. The inability of the veins to send blood back to the heart can be caused by a block or a valvular problem. The effects of this condition are long-term and are most pronounced when the person stands for long periods of time.
The condition has a number of risk factors, primarily: age, gender, height, family history, personal history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), obesity, pregnancy, and physical activity. Major symptoms of this condition include pain, swelling (edema), skin changes, varicose veins, and slow-healing ulcers. |
Treating Ulcers d/t Venous Insufficiency
Successful therapy of venous ulcers is varied, depending on the severity of the condition and the size of the ulcers. Compression therapy – the use of anti-embolic stockings – remains the gold standard for treatment but non-compliance is a big issue, with studies revealing that non-compliance was exhibited between 2 and 42 percent of patients in randomized controlled trials. Studying in ultrasound tech training online and on campus will introduce you to a variety of health conditions, among them venous insiufficiency.
Therapeutic Non-contact Ultrasound
A lot of studies have revealed the therapeutic use of sonography beyond its function as a diagnostic examination. From helping treat fractures to venous ulcers, a lot of therapeutic uses have been discovered when it comes to sonography. Non-contact ultrasound, specifically the MIST Therapy, was used in a study published in 2012. MIST therapy uses sound waves that travel through sterile saline. The system used in the study is composed of a generator connected to a transducer cable and treatment head or applicator. The applicator has a saline water bottle where the mist comes from. Treatment time varies with the size and depth of the wound.
Results of the Study
The study that used MIST therapy revealed that ultrasound therapy adjunct with standard wound care on ischemic extremities showed a vast improvement in the healing rate compared to standard wound care alone. The rate of healing was 63 percent with MIST therapy, compared to the standard healing rate of 29 percent. Non-contact ultrasound therapy is also suggested to clean and debride tissue, removing bacteria, fibrin, and exudates during the process, either due to cavitation (creating of tiny bubbles in the tissue) and acoustic microstreaming (facilitation of fluid movement across the membranes).
Sonographers in Studies Regarding Therapeutic Use of Ultrasound
People with an ultrasound tech degree and pass the ARDMS certification exam are qualified in performing and participating in studies that involve the therapeutic use of ultrasound. Whether you take online classes or on campus classes doesn’t matter; what matters is that you get proper training from an accredited school or institution. When it comes to salaries, different factors affect what sonographers earn but generally speaking, sonographers involved with educational institutions can earn an average of $70,630 annually.
There are different programs you can enroll in, from certificate programs to bachelor degree programs. They are offered in over 211 accredited schools all over the US. People who want to become a sonographer will have no trouble looking for a place to learn about the profession and the different avenues where they can practice.
There are different programs you can enroll in, from certificate programs to bachelor degree programs. They are offered in over 211 accredited schools all over the US. People who want to become a sonographer will have no trouble looking for a place to learn about the profession and the different avenues where they can practice.