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Malnutrition (or undernutrition) affects at least three million people in the UK (1.3 million are over the age of 65), with 93% of these living in the community (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [BAPEN], 2018). Malnutrition has an estimated cost of £19.6 billion in England, with older adults (≥65 years) accounting for over 50% of this cost (Stratton et al, 2018). Malnutrition has adverse effects if unidentified and untreated.

This case series evaluation assessed the efficacy of WoundExpress™ (Huntleigh Healthcare), a novel IPC device, which applies compression to the thigh of the afflicted leg for the management of hard-to-heal leg ulcers. Eleven wound treatment centres or wound care specialists undertook WoundExpress evaluations. Eligible and willing patients (n=61), with a ‘hard-to heal’ leg ulcer used the WoundExpress device for two hours a day, in addition to continuing to receive their standard wound care for a 16-week period. Fifty-three participants completed the evaluations. Thirty-three percent (n=19) of all ulcers healed within the 16-week study period; the mean time to healing was 10 weeks. A further 60% of ulcers (n=35) progressed towards healing within the 16-week period, with a mean surface area reduction of 56% (23cm2). The evaluation concluded that thigh-administered IPC is an effective adjunctive treatment, that aids healing and reduces pain, for patients with hard to heal leg ulcers.