Bioelectronics & controlled cryotherapy are safe, easy, and effective adjunct therapies that optimize outcomes and deliver biologic impact. Initially focused on ortho surgical applications, the protocols span Prehab, Post Op & Recovery, and Rehab.
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Bioelectronics, specifically DC µAmperage stimulation promotes microcirculation and accelerates healing while reducing:
1. Pain – reduces inflammation and edema
2. Infection - bioelectronics have an antimicrobial effect, reducing the risk of SSI
3. Pain medication volumes while accelerating the healing process and improving surgical outcomes
Extremely low (≤ 100 millionths of an amp) DC current appears to be very effective as a bactericide, even showing impact against MRSA and biofilms
How big is the problem for total hip and knee procedures? This 2020 retrospective cohort study estimated the overall incidence of SSI in the U.S. was 2.03%, with 0.20% for deep infection and 1.83% for superficial SSI (click image to see study results).
But, according to a more recent systematic review of cost and well-being metrics for hip and knee replacements that involved a surgical site infection in the U.S., the occurrence of SSI following total hip and knee replacements could be as high as 3.7%.
(Click image to see study results.) "Total joint arthroplasties in Europe and the United States are at an estimated incidence of 2.91% and 3.7%, respectively, with a rise in the severity of complications, as an increasing burden to older populations."
The Wound Care Connection
“Pooled results from well-conducted SRs provide strong support for the use of EST (Electro Stimulation Therapy) on various types of chronic wounds and pressure ulcers in particular.”
Electro stimulation has been used to help close non-healing wounds for 60 years. The creation of additional available ATP and its impact on the potassium pump, triggering of the transition from Inflammation Phase of the Healing Cascade to Reconstruction Phase, are all impacted by low-amperage electrical stimulation.
“Pooled results from well-conducted SRs provide strong support for the use of EST (Electro Stimulation Therapy) on various types of chronic wounds and pressure ulcers in particular.”
These images depict before and after treatment of a 19 yo sickle cell anemia patient. This non-healing wound started when he was 12 years old. It closed 90 days after beginning treatment with low microampere bioelectronics.
The bactericidal effect of low amperage microcurrent when closing non-healing wounds managing microbials on the wound bed is critical. Now, the antimicrobial benefit is being extended to ortho surgical procedures (ex. primary joint arthroscopy) as new protocols that combine bioelectronics with cryo therapeutics are showing reductions in:
• Wound healing times
• Intensity and duration of inflammation phase post operatively
• Inflammation, edema, pain
• Post-op recovery interval
• Start times for rehab
• Duration of rehab and recovery intervals between rehab sessions
The impact of SSIs include patient mortality, QOC (Quality Of Care), productivity loss, plus 400,000 additional days spent in the due to repeated readmissions result in an estimated $10 billion of annual cost. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10333003/
How does the bactericidal capability of microcurrent work?
“Since the 1960s, electric voltage, current, and field have been explored as physical means for suppressing the growth, and/or killing, of bacteria. While most of the early studies focused on the bactericidal effects of high electric voltage and current (5–8), it was found more recently that low electric voltage and current can also effectively kill bacteria and biofilms.”
And the electrical charge needed to kill bacteria is very low. Household batteries can kill bacteria for weeks. A finger nail sized (1 cm2) solar panel can generate enough power for damaging bacterial membranes, suppressing the growth of bacteria and/or killing bacteria.
Conclusion:
Microcurrent has been shown to be effective in wound care applications by accelerating healing processes while reducing inflammation. But the impact on impeding the proliferation of bacteria and biofilms is poised to further reduce the incidence of SSIs associated with TKAs (Total Knee Arthroscopy) and ACL repairs, THAs (Total Hip Arthroscopy), shoulder reconstruction, and other orthopedic surgeries.
The most significant value-add from low amperage microcurrent is the ability to mitigate pain via the reduction of inflammation. An effective adjunct therapy that is driving a resulting reduction of prescription pain meds.
Additionally, in a healthcare settings where antibiotic resistant strains and biofilms are driving SSI costs up, low cost bioelectronic protocols and devices are poised to help to reverse that trend.
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