Which of the following conditions is cause for precaution when using diathermy?
Electromagnetic waves may selectively heat water; therefore, areas with excessive fluid accumulation, such as edematous tissue, moist skin, eyes, fluid-filled cavities, and a pregnant or menstruating uterus, should be avoided for both SWD and microwave treatment.
Is shortwave diathermy harmful?
Comprehensive measurements of the intensities of stray fields around short-wave diathermy devices(3) indicated that there is a potential for operator exposure in excess of the levels recommended by the Federal government(4). Exposure to high intensity radiofrequency (RF) radiation can cause adverse health effects.
What are the precautions and contraindications for diathermy?
Shortwave diathermy has the following precautions or contraindications:
- Malignancy.
- Sensory loss.
- Tuberculosis.
- Metallic implants or foreign bodies.
- Pregnancy.
- Application over moist dressings.
- Ischemic areas or arteriosclerosis.
- Thromboangiitis obliterans.
Is diathermy a radiation?
Microwave diathermy uses radiation of very high frequency and short wavelength similar to that used in microwave ovens; all physiologic responses are due to its heating effect.
What is effect of diathermy?
Microwave diathermy produces heat in the body tissues through application of microwave energy to the concerned area. The microwave energy stimulates tissue molecules, as r.f. diathermy does, converting electrical energy to heat.
What are the benefits of diathermy?
Treating injuries with heat can increase blood flow and make connective tissue more flexible. It can also help minimize inflammation and reduce the incidence of edema, or fluid retention. By increasing blood flow to the site of an injury, the deep heat generated with diathermy can accelerate healing.
When do you use diathermy vs ultrasound?
The diathermy energy did not stay between the two plates, it created energy all over the area. Diathermy would be more advantageous then ultrasound if you are trying to treat a bigger area and need for deeper penetration of heat.
Why is diathermy used in surgery?
Diathermy is the use of high frequency alternate polarity radio-wave electrical current to cut or coagulate tissue during surgery. It allows for precise incisions to be made with limited blood loss and is now used in nearly all surgical disciplines.
What are the physiological effects of microwave diathermy?
Low and Reed (1990) list the physiological effects caused by the increase in temperature produced by the microwave diathermy as raised metabolic rate, increased blood flow, decreased tissue and blood viscosity, increased extensibility of collagen and effects on nerves leading to pain relief.
Why is microwave signal harmful?
As high frequency radio frequency radiation, i.e., microwave radiation, penetrates the body, the exposed molecules move about and collide with one another causing friction and, thus, heat. This is known as the thermal effect. These organs are highly vulnerable to radiation damage because they contain few blood vessels.
What is MWD in physiotherapy?
Microwave diathermy (MWD) is a therapeutic system that has been in use for some decades now in all physiotherapy settings, following the regulations of national facility establishments.
What are the therapeutic uses of microwave diathermy?
Microwave diathermy uses electromagnetic radiation by microwaves and heats to a lesser tissue depth than short-wave diathermy. It is primarily used to heat superficial muscles and joints such as the shoulder.
What are the indications of microwave diathermy?
and infrared radiation. 1) is easy to use and robust, although not found as frequently in clinics as shortwave therapy units. The common indications for microwave therapy include soft tissue lesions of traumatic origin, degenerative or chronic arthropathy and some localized infections3.
How electromagnetic radiations are used in diathermy machines?
Diathermy devices produce electromagnetic waves from either the shortwave or microwave frequency ranges. Lasers produce electromagnetic waves from the visible light frequency range. Much higher frequencies are used to produce ultraviolet light and x-rays for diagnostic purposes.
What is the principle of ultrasonic diathermy?
Ultrasonic therapy or ultrasonic diathermy products used in physical therapy equipment produce high-frequency sound waves that travel deep into tissue and create gentle therapeutic heat.
What are the side effects of ultrasound therapy?
Depending on the temperature gradients, the effects from ultrasound exposure can include mild heating, coagulative necrosis, tissue vaporization, or all three. Ultrasonic cavitation and gas body activation are closely related mechanisms which depend on the rarefactional pressure amplitude of ultrasound waves.
Can ultrasound be used for treatment?
It can help with the body’s own natural healing processes and encourages healing in the soft tissues. This is therapeutic ultrasound (for healing) and different to that used during pregnancy.
What is the frequency range of sound used for ultrasound diathermy?
Ultrasound diathermy is a deep heating modality that uses high-frequency acoustic vibrations. The frequencies employed are above the human audible spectrum (ie, higher than 17 kHz), typically in the range of 0.8-1.0 MHz.
When is diathermy used?
Diathermy is commonly used for muscle relaxation, and to induce deep heating in tissue for therapeutic purposes in medicine. It is used in physical therapy to deliver moderate heat directly to pathologic lesions in the deeper tissues of the body.
Can diathermy cause burns?
Although most of the newest diathermy machines are largely safe, the electric fields they generate are still inherently hazardous for the patient, operating surgeons, and theatre staff. They can cause burn injury, electrocution, operating room fire, smoke inhalation, and gene mutation.