Managing ischemic skin ulcers.

Etiologic elements in ischemic ulcers include physical factors (pressure, shearing forces, friction and heat), nutrition and infection, as well as circulatory, metabolic and neurologic problems. Prevention is the primary objective of the management program. For patients in nursing homes who have already developed ulcers, low-intensity direct electric current (LIDC) has proved to be a useful adjunct to conventional management. The infection was more rapidly controlled and the wound size more quickly reduced. LIDC is readily accepted by the patient.