ShortWave Diathermy – Flashcards
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Diathermy
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- From the Greek meaning "through heating" - Dates back to 1892 - Produced a sensation of warmth without the muscular contractions - Popular in the early 20th century, used to treat infections in the US in the 1930's - Lost popularity
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SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY
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- Recent years, development of smaller bettershielded devices. - Produces gentle heat to large areas - Nonthermal effects of pulsed shortwave diathermy (PSWD) - FCC allocated bands, 27.12 MHz is the most commonly used for SWD devices because it has the widest bandwidth
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shortwave or pulsed shortwave diathermy
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(can be delivered in a continuous or pulsed mode and when delivered at a sufficient average intensity, can generate heat in the body)
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shortwave diathermy
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- When delivered in a pulsed mode at low average intensities, heat is dissipated before it can accumulate. - Will not cover MWD
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Physical Properties of Diathermy
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- Electromagnetic field intensity and tissue type determine how much energy will be absorbed by the tissue and how warm it will become. - Pulsed signal can allow heat to dissipate during the off cycle of the pulse. - SWD heats deeper than hot packs and heats a larger area than ultrasound
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Diathermy physical properties
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- Heats by conversion, up to 4cm - SWD is not reflected by bones and therefore does not concentrate at the periosteum or pose a risk of periosteal burning, as does ultrasound. - Needs little time for application and does not require the clinician to be in direct contact with the patient throughout the treatment period.
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TYPES OF SWD APPLICATORS
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- INDUCTIVE COIL - CAPACITIVE PLATES - PSWD devices use inductive coil applicator's in a drum form or capacitive plates
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inductive coil diathermy
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- These induced electric currents cause charged particles in the tissue to oscillate - The friction produced by this oscillation produces an elevation in tissue temperature. - applicators produce the most heat in tissues that have high electrical conductivity and that are closest to the applicator.
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drum applicator
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- Made up of a flat spiral coil contained within a plastic housing. - The drum (s) is placed directly over the area being treated
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Capacitive plates
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-produce more heat in the skin and superficial tissues, whereas inductive applicators produce more heat in the deeper structures. - Current flows from one plate to another through the patient producing an electric field and a flow of current in the body tissue that is between the plates - Patient becomes part of the electric circuit connecting the two plates
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thermal effects of diathermy
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- Significantly increase circulation in muscle - Hemodynamic - Neuromuscular - Metabolic - Altered tissue extensibility
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nonthermal effects of diathermy
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- Applied at low intensities with a short pulse duration and a low duty cycle - Does not produce any maintained increase in tissue temperature - Increased microvascular perfusion - Increase local tissue oxygenation - Nutrient availability - Phagocytosis - Altered cell membrane function and cellular activity -Help accelerate cell growth and division when it is too slow and inhibit it when it is too fast
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thermal shortwave diathermy clinical indications
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- Pain control - Accelerated tissue healing - Decreased joint stiffness - Combined with stretching, increase joint range of motion - Good for heating in deep structures such as the hip joint or diffuse areas of the spine
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nonthermal pulsed shortwave diathermy clinical indications
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- Control of pain and edema - Pain control - Soft tissue healing - Nerve healing - Bone healing - Osteoarthritis symptoms
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contraindications for use of all diathermy
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- Implanted or transcutaneous neural stimulators (pacemakers) - pregnancy
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thermal contraindications
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- Metal implants (highly conductive) - Malignancy - Eyes - Testes - Growing epiphyses
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nonthermal contraindications
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- Deep tissues such as internal organs - Substitute for conventional therapy for edema and pain - Pacemaker, electronic devices or metal implants
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precautions for the use of all forms of diathermy
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- Near electronic or magnetic equipment - Obesity - Cooper-bearing IUD
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Precautions for the use of Nonthermal DIATHERMY
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- Pregnancy - Skeletal immaturity
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Precautions for the use of the therapist applying Diathermy
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- Concerns regarding potential hazards to therapists - Diffuse radiation can irradiate the therapist is standing close to the machine
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Adverse effects of Diathermy
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- Burns - Fat layers are at the greatest risk of burning, particularly when capacitive plates applicators are used. - Fat is less well-vascularized than muscle or skin, therefore is not cooled as effectively by vasodilation. - To avoid burns during the application of diathermy the patient's skin must by kept dry by wrapping with towels
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Application Techniques - SWD
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is usually applied for 20 minutes
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Application Techniques - PSWD
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is usually applied for 30-40 minutes
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Anodyne Therapy System
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is an FDAcleared medical device that increases circulation and decreases pain. Anodyne is currently used in over 4100 universities, clinics, home health agencies, physical therapy centers, long term care facilities, physician offices and by the U.S. Military
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indications for anodyne therapy
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Any condition that can benefit from: - Increased circulation - Reduced pain
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precautions for anodyne therapy
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Should not be used: - Directly over any active malignancy. - Over or near the womb of a pregnant woman. - Directly over a topical heating agent such as BenGay, Icy Hot, or Capsaicin; must completly remove these agents before applying this
