Slow-healing wounds such as skin ulcers and bedsores can be dangerous, even life-threatening, especially for diabetics and the elderly.

A new study shows that ultrasound treatment helps speed healing and may help patients avoid drastic measures such as amputation.

Open wound problems affect an estimated 1 in 75 people, or 3.6 million Americans a year, and the rate is growing due to the aging population and increasing number of diabetics.

One particularly widespread problem is foot skin ulcers among diabetics.

It’s estimated that about a quarter of diabetics suffer from slow-healing sores on their feet. The wounds often become infected and can result in loss of the food or lower leg.

Ultrasound treatment uses high frequency sound waves to transmit a vibration through the skin that stimulates cells and accelerates the healing process, researchers in the UK say.

One big advantage is that the treatment doesn’t carry the risk associated with drug treatments, they added.