Non-Contact Low-Frequency Ultrasound Vs Standard LaLonde Protocol for Fingertip Injury Wound Healing

NCT ID: NCT06813430

Last Updated: 2025-05-15

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

Get a concise snapshot of the trial, including recruitment status, study phase, enrollment targets, and key timeline milestones.

Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

22 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-02-10

Study Completion Date

2026-02-28

Brief Summary

Review the sponsor-provided synopsis that highlights what the study is about and why it is being conducted.

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the efficacy of non-contact low frequency ultrasound in populations sustaining fingertip amputations. The main question it aims to answer is:

• Does non-contact low frequency ultrasound significantly improve patient outcomes in patients sustaining acute fingertip amputations?

Researchers will compare non-contact low frequency ultrasound to a standard Lalonde protocol to answer this questions.

Participants will be randomized one of the two study arms and evaluated by wound care therapy. They will receive cohort appropriate therapy sessions 2-3 times per week with measurement of wound size once per week.

Detailed Description

Dive into the extended narrative that explains the scientific background, objectives, and procedures in greater depth.

Fingertip injuries rank among the most prevalent hand injuries, leading to nearly 5 million emergency department visits annually. Particularly common among adults, are lacerations, crush injuries, and avulsions affecting the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. As fingertip amputations encompass a diverse range of injuries involving soft tissue, bone, and/or nail, there is no singular recommended treatment as the standard of care. Instead, treatment is tailored to the individual patient, aiming to minimize pain, optimize healing, preserve sensory and motor function, and maintain an aesthetically acceptable appearance.

Possible treatment options for fingertip amputations without exposure of the distal phalanx include primary closure, healing by secondary intention, completion/revision amputation, full-thickness skin grafting, and split-thickness skin grafting, or flap coverage. However, when soft tissue allows, primary closure or healing by secondary intention have demonstrate positive and reliable outcomes.

New technologies, such as non-contact low-frequency ultrasound (NCLF-US), continue to be introduced to support healing of acute and chronic injuries to improve patient outcomes. While a moderate amount of research exists demonstrating safety and efficacy of NCLF-US in expediting the healing of chronic wounds, there is limited research on its efficacy in the treatment of acute injuries.

Given the significance of optimizing healing, especially in a population predominantly composed of young men engaged in manual labor, it is reasonable to wonder about the efficacy of NCLF-US in the treatment of fingertip amputations without exposed bone managed through secondary intention. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of NCLF-US in combination with standard treatment for secondary healing versus the standard treatment alone.

Conditions

See the medical conditions and disease areas that this research is targeting or investigating.

Non-contact Low Frequency Ultrasound Lalonde Protocol Fingertip Amputation

Study Design

Understand how the trial is structured, including allocation methods, masking strategies, primary purpose, and other design elements.

Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Caregivers Investigators

Study Groups

Review each arm or cohort in the study, along with the interventions and objectives associated with them.

Non-Contact Low Frequency Ultrasound

Lalonde therapy and non-contact low-frequency (UltraMIST) therapy - NCLF-US therapy involves delivering low-frequency (40 kHz), low-intensity (0.1-0.8 W/cm2) ultrasound energy via sterile water mist.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Non-contact Low Frequency Ultrasound

Intervention Type DEVICE

NCLF-US therapy involves delivering low-frequency (40 kHz), low-intensity (0.1-0.8 W/cm2) ultrasound energy via sterile water mist.

Lalonde Protocol (standard of care)

Intervention Type OTHER

Standard of care local wound therapy using the Lalonde protocol - rinsing the site with clean water, applying a grease layer, wrapping with a one-inch gauze wrap, and securing with Coban tape.

Lalonde Protocol

Standard of care local wound therapy using the Lalonde protocol - rinsing the site with clean water, applying a grease layer, wrapping with a one-inch gauze wrap, and securing with Coban tape.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Lalonde Protocol (standard of care)

Intervention Type OTHER

Standard of care local wound therapy using the Lalonde protocol - rinsing the site with clean water, applying a grease layer, wrapping with a one-inch gauze wrap, and securing with Coban tape.

Interventions

Learn about the drugs, procedures, or behavioral strategies being tested and how they are applied within this trial.

Non-contact Low Frequency Ultrasound

NCLF-US therapy involves delivering low-frequency (40 kHz), low-intensity (0.1-0.8 W/cm2) ultrasound energy via sterile water mist.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Lalonde Protocol (standard of care)

Standard of care local wound therapy using the Lalonde protocol - rinsing the site with clean water, applying a grease layer, wrapping with a one-inch gauze wrap, and securing with Coban tape.

Intervention Type OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Check the participation requirements, including inclusion and exclusion rules, age limits, and whether healthy volunteers are accepted.

Inclusion Criteria

* Individuals aged 18 years or older with an acute traumatic fingertip amputation without exposed bone or tendons (Allen 1, Tamai level 1; ICD-10 codes S68.5 and S68.6).

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients less than 18 years old,
* Injuries involving exposed bone
* Those with diagnosis of vascular disease
* Individuals with clinical suspicion or diagnosis of infection
* Unable to comply with prescribed therapy sessions
* Patients undergoing primary closure or surgical intervention
* Patients experiencing subsequent trauma following treatment initiation
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

Meet the organizations funding or collaborating on the study and learn about their roles.

St. Luke's Hospital, Pennsylvania

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

Identify the individual or organization who holds primary responsibility for the study information submitted to regulators.

Responsibility Role SPONSOR

Locations

Explore where the study is taking place and check the recruitment status at each participating site.

St. Luke's University Health Network

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, United States

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

Review the countries where the study has at least one active or historical site.

United States

Central Contacts

Reach out to these primary contacts for questions about participation or study logistics.

Kristofer Matullo, MD

Role: CONTACT

484-526-1735

Douglas Lundy, MD

Role: CONTACT

Facility Contacts

Find local site contact details for specific facilities participating in the trial.

Kristofer Matullo, MD

Role: primary

484-526-1735

References

Explore related publications, articles, or registry entries linked to this study.

Yao M, Hasturk H, Kantarci A, Gu G, Garcia-Lavin S, Fabbi M, Park N, Hayashi H, Attala K, French MA, Driver VR. A pilot study evaluating non-contact low-frequency ultrasound and underlying molecular mechanism on diabetic foot ulcers. Int Wound J. 2014 Dec;11(6):586-93. doi: 10.1111/iwj.12005. Epub 2012 Nov 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23163982 (View on PubMed)

Kavros SJ, Schenck EC. Use of noncontact low-frequency ultrasound in the treatment of chronic foot and leg ulcerations: a 51-patient analysis. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc. 2007 Mar-Apr;97(2):95-101. doi: 10.7547/0970095.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17369314 (View on PubMed)

Kavros SJ, Miller JL, Hanna SW. Treatment of ischemic wounds with noncontact, low-frequency ultrasound: the Mayo clinic experience, 2004-2006. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2007 Apr;20(4):221-6. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000266660.88900.38.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17415030 (View on PubMed)

Driver VR, Yao M, Miller CJ. Noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy in the treatment of chronic wounds: a meta-analysis. Wound Repair Regen. 2011 Jul-Aug;19(4):475-80. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-475X.2011.00701.x. Epub 2011 Jun 7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21649783 (View on PubMed)

Escandon J, Vivas AC, Perez R, Kirsner R, Davis S. A prospective pilot study of ultrasound therapy effectiveness in refractory venous leg ulcers. Int Wound J. 2012 Oct;9(5):570-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1742-481X.2011.00921.x. Epub 2012 Feb 1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22296347 (View on PubMed)

Olyaie M, Rad FS, Elahifar MA, Garkaz A, Mahsa G. High-frequency and noncontact low-frequency ultrasound therapy for venous leg ulcer treatment: a randomized, controlled study. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2013 Aug;59(8):14-20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 23934374 (View on PubMed)

Kavros SJ, Liedl DA, Boon AJ, Miller JL, Hobbs JA, Andrews KL. Expedited wound healing with noncontact, low-frequency ultrasound therapy in chronic wounds: a retrospective analysis. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2008 Sep;21(9):416-23. doi: 10.1097/01.ASW.0000323546.04734.31.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 18769168 (View on PubMed)

Ennis WJ, Valdes W, Gainer M, Meneses P. Evaluation of clinical effectiveness of MIST ultrasound therapy for the healing of chronic wounds. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2006 Oct;19(8):437-46. doi: 10.1097/00129334-200610000-00011.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 17008814 (View on PubMed)

Ennis WJ, Foremann P, Mozen N, Massey J, Conner-Kerr T, Meneses P. Ultrasound therapy for recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers: results of a randomized, double-blind, controlled, multicenter study. Ostomy Wound Manage. 2005 Aug;51(8):24-39.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 16234574 (View on PubMed)

Lee LP, Lau PY, Chan CW. A simple and efficient treatment for fingertip injuries. J Hand Surg Br. 1995 Feb;20(1):63-71. doi: 10.1016/s0266-7681(05)80019-1.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 7759939 (View on PubMed)

Mennen U, Wiese A. Fingertip injuries management with semi-occlusive dressing. J Hand Surg Br. 1993 Aug;18(4):416-22. doi: 10.1016/0266-7681(93)90139-7.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8409649 (View on PubMed)

Lee DH, Mignemi ME, Crosby SN. Fingertip injuries: an update on management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2013 Dec;21(12):756-66. doi: 10.5435/JAAOS-21-12-756.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 24292932 (View on PubMed)

Peterson SL, Peterson EL, Wheatley MJ. Management of fingertip amputations. J Hand Surg Am. 2014 Oct;39(10):2093-101. doi: 10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.04.025.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 25257490 (View on PubMed)

Sorock GS, Lombardi DA, Hauser RB, Eisen EA, Herrick RF, Mittleman MA. Acute traumatic occupational hand injuries: type, location, and severity. J Occup Environ Med. 2002 Apr;44(4):345-51. doi: 10.1097/00043764-200204000-00015.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11977421 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

Review additional registry numbers or institutional identifiers associated with this trial.

FY2025-115

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

More Related Trials

Additional clinical trials that may be relevant based on similarity analysis.

Lower Tourniquet Pressure Study
NCT04994405 COMPLETED NA
Wrist Arthroscopy Study
NCT04457362 COMPLETED NA
Hand Transplantation
NCT02476838 RECRUITING NA