On the other hand, ultrasound begun during the second week of repair, when collagen formation and fibroblastic infiltration have begun, can be beneficial. Fibroblasts respond to therapeutic ultrasound with an enhanced rate of protein synthesis. When treating an open wound,the therapist must give special consideration to avoid contaminating the wound bed. The wound must be thoroughly cleaned before and after ultrasound treatments. It is important to cleanse the wound with materials that are not destructive to the delicate healing in the wound bed.
Pure saline works well for flushing the wound site.
The use of agents such as bleach, peroxide, alcohol, caustic chemicals, or full strength betadine should be strictly avoided in wounds. The treatment duration for a 5cm 2 wound is three to five minutes. The use of ultrasound in the treatment of wounds should be employed only by a experienced equine therapist under the supervision of a veterinarian. No specific guidelines exist regarding the ideal frequency or number of ultrasound treatments to use to bring about therapeutic effects in the horse. The ultrasound head can be applied to the operator's arm or leg to determine the heating effect on an area of similar thickness.