Measurement of hertzian waves capture at body surface in patients with traumatic paraplegia.

Using an original method--the Biohertzmetry--the level of hertzian waves capture at body surface was measured in 20 patients with traumatic paraplegia. A statistically significant decrease of the hertzian waves capture level in the toes in comparison with the proximal area has been noted in 12 patients with complete spinal cord lesion. In patients presenting an open or cicatricial decubitus ulcer, at scar level, in the surrounding skin area with modified colour--and even in a contiguous few millimeters large skin strip normally coloured,--a marked decrease of the level of hertzian waves capture in comparison with the healthy skin ares situated off the decubitus ulcers has been pointed out. Thus, the method used permitted to reveal the alterations of the tissue trophicity--including those undetectable with the naked eye--and to make an estimation of the degree of mortification of the tissues and a delimitation of the reduced trophicity area.