Which waveform is typically used for wound care?

• A. Monophasic for wound care
• B. Pulsed Biphasic
• C. High voltage Galvanic
• D. Symmetrical Biphasic

Answer: (C)

High-voltage pulsed galvanic current is the waveform typically used for wound care because its short, high-amplitude monophasic pulses create a directed electrical field at the wound bed. This net charge and polarity-specific stimulation support healing processes—such as macrophage activation, granulation tissue formation, epithelial cell migration, and edema reduction—while keeping the overall current and heating modest for patient comfort. The negative polarity is often used early to help control edema and bacteria, with polarity shifts later to promote tissue growth. Other waveforms deliver alternating or single-phase currents that don’t produce the same directed, polarity-dependent effects on the wound environment, so they’re not as commonly used for standard wound healing protocols.