Chronic wounds — those that fail to progress through the normal stages of healing within four to twelve weeks — represent one of the most challenging problems in modern healthcare. They affect millions of patients globally, disproportionately impact elderly, diabetic, and immunocompromised individuals, and account for a substantial proportion of healthcare expenditure. Understanding what supports the healing process, and where newer approaches fit in, is increasingly important for clinicians and informed patients alike.
Normal wound healing proceeds through four overlapping phases: haemostasis (bleeding is stopped), inflammation (immune cells clear bacteria and debris), proliferation (new tissue is formed), and remodelling (the new tissue matures and strengthens). In a healthy individual with a straightforward wound, this process proceeds largely automatically.
In chronic wounds, one or more of these phases becomes disrupted. The wound may become stuck in the inflammatory phase, producing a chronic inflammatory microenvironment hostile to healing. Biofilm — a structured community of bacteria resistant to standard antibiotics — is present in the majority of chronic wounds and is a major barrier to progression.
Multiple factors can impair wound healing. Poor tissue perfusion — meaning insufficient blood flow to the wound — is one of the most common, seen in peripheral arterial disease and in the peripheral neuropathy that accompanies diabetes. Sustained pressure, as in pressure sores, prevents the sustained blood flow healing requires. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly in protein, zinc, and vitamins C and A, remove key building blocks for tissue synthesis. Oedema, infection, and certain medications also impair healing.
Addressing these underlying factors is always the first priority in wound management. Debridement, compression therapy, offloading, infection management, and nutritional support are the cornerstones of standard wound care.
The therapeutic use of electrical current in wound management has a substantial research history. At the cellular level, electrical stimulation has been observed to support several mechanisms relevant to wound healing: it may stimulate fibroblast activity (fibroblasts are the cells that synthesise collagen and new connective tissue), support epithelial cell migration, and influence the local inflammatory microenvironment.
Microcurrent electrotherapy, in particular, operates in the microampere range — currents that mirror the body's own bioelectrical signals. Research has suggested that these low-level currents may support ATP production in wound-bed cells, potentially contributing to the energy availability necessary for active repair processes. This should be understood as a supportive mechanism — not a curative treatment acting independently of standard wound care.
A clinical observation from Tameside Hospital NHS Foundation Trust documented the use of the KFH NOVO device in a patient with a complex diabetic foot wound that had not responded to standard wound care protocols over an extended period. Following the addition of microcurrent therapy to the existing wound care plan, clinical staff documented measurable changes in wound dimensions and wound bed appearance over subsequent weeks.
This is one observational case report, not a randomised controlled trial, and should be interpreted accordingly. It cannot establish causation and individual results will vary. However, it represents the type of real-world clinical observation that informs practitioner experience and supports broader clinical investigation.
The KFH NOVO is a microcurrent electrotherapy device CE-marked as a Class IIa medical device. It is designed for use by healthcare professionals as part of a multi-modal wound care protocol, or under professional supervision for informed home use by patients.
It is not intended to replace standard wound care. Debridement, infection management, compression, offloading, and nutritional optimisation remain the foundation of any wound care plan. The KFH NOVO is positioned as an adjunctive tool that may support the healing environment when the clinical team identifies it as appropriate.
Healthcare professionals seeking further information, clinical evidence dossiers, or professional pricing are welcome to contact the KFHealth professional team directly.
DISCLAIMER: This article is intended for healthcare professionals and informed adult patients in the European Union. KFH NOVO is a CE-marked medical device. It should be used only in accordance with its approved indications and under appropriate professional guidance. It is not a substitute for standard wound care. Individual results will vary. Patients should always consult their treating clinician before adding any new treatment modality to their wound care plan.
