Effects of the decongestive physiotherapy in the healing of venous ulcers EFEITOS DA TERAPIA FÍSICA DESCONGESTIVA NA CICATRIZAÇÃO DE ÚLCERAS VENOSAS EFECTOS DE LA TERAPIA FÍSICA DESCONGESTIVA EN LA CICATRIZACIÓN DE ÚLCERAS VENOSAS

The objective of this study was to verify the effects of the decongestive physiotherapy (DP) in the healing of venous ulcers. It is an interventionist, and almost experimental, study with the participation of 20 clients who were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n=10) and the intervention group (n=10). Clients from the first group were only treated with conventional dressing and those in the second group were treated with conventional dressing and decongestive physiotherapy (association of techniques: manual lymph drainage, compressive bandaging, elevation of the lower limbs, myolymphokinetic exercises and skin care). Both groups were treated during six months. The clients submitted to DP presented significant reduction of the edema and the pain, besides an improvement in the healing process. Results allowed to verify that the decongestive therapy stimulated the healing process of venous ulcers, improving the quality of life of the subjects.