Short wave diathermy

HIGH FREQUENCY CURRENTS FOR PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Short Wave Diathermy
Aditya johanRomadhon, SST.FT, M.Fis

2. INTRODUCTION
The concept of producing heat deep within the tissues,
beyond the reach of infrared and other forms of superficial
heat is appreciated by physical therapists
Generally, this type of currents used to generate heat, is in the
megacycle range
Most commonly utilized high-frequency currents are found
with:
* Short wave diathermy and * Microwave diathermy

3. PHYSICS
Originally,itwasutilizedformusculoskeletalconditionswhichrequire
increasedcirculationandotherbenefitsofthermalincrease
Heatgenerationthroughshortwavediathermydependsonthemolecular
activitywithinthetissueexposed(vibrationofions,dipolerotationand
moleculardistortion)
Differentialheatingisnotedwithinbone,muscleandfatbecauseofthe
differentdensitiesofthesetissues
Administrationofshortwavediathermyformedicalpurposesoccurs
through:3wavelengths:7,11and22metersand3frequencies:45,27and
13megacycles

4. PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECT
Theprincipaleffectofshortwavediathermyonthebodyistheproduction
ofheatinthetissuesduetotheriseoftemperature
Increasedmetabolism:Heatingtissuesaccelerateschemicalchangessuch
asmetabolism,sooxygenandfoodstuffsareusedup.
Withincreasedmetabolism,therewillbeincreasedoutputofwaste
products.
Increasedbloodsupply:Vasodilatationincreasesbloodflowthroughthe
area,sothatthenecessaryoxygenandnutritivematerialsaresuppliedand
wasteproductsareremoved

5. General rise of temperature: As blood passes through the heated tissues, it
also becomes heated and carries the heat to other body parts
As a result, heat reduces the excitability of nerves, provided that heat is
not excessive
Fallinbloodpressure:Thegeneralizedvasodilatationreducesthe
peripheralresistancetobloodflow.Heatalsoreducesbloodviscosity,
whichhelpsinthereductionofbloodpressure
Increasedactivityofsweatglands:Ifageneralriseoftemperatureoccurs,
therewillbeincreasedactivationofthesweatglands

6. Short Wave Diathermy Methode
*inductive methode
Places the patient in the electromagnetic field
Current following within the coil produces rotating magnetic field
Selectively heats muscle

7. Short Wave Diathermy
* Capacitive methode
Uses patient’s tissue as a part of the circuit
The tissue’s electrical produce heat
Selectively heats skin (muscle is heated via conduction from adipose)
Refered as “condenser field diathermy”

8. TYPES OF ELECTRODES
Flaxiblepad:consistofmetalelectrode
encasedinrubberandproducean
electrostaticfield

9. Spaceplates:consistofrigidmetal
encasedinaPerspexcover(electrostatic
field)

10. Coilorcable:electrodeconsistofwirewith
plugateitherendcreateselectro-magnetic
field

11. Themonode:flat,rigidcoilencasedin
plasticcover(electromagneticfield)

12. Thediplode(drumelectrode):consistsofa
flatcoilencasedinPerspexcoverwithtwo
wings(electromagneticfield)

13. FACTOR INFLUENCES FIELD DISTRIBUTION

14. FACTOR INFLUENCES FIELD DISTRIBUTION

15. FACTOR INFLUENCES FIELD DISTRIBUTION

16. FACTOR INFLUENCES FIELD DISTRIBUTION

17. FACTOR INFLUENCES FIELD DISTRIBUTION

18. ELECTRODES PLACEMENTS
* CONTRAPLANAR
Contraplanartechnique
Itisthemostsatisfactorytechnique,especiallyforthetreatmentofdeeply-
placedstructures.

19. COPLANAR
Coplanartechnique
Inthistechnique,electrodesareplacedsidebysideonthesameaspectof
thepart,providedthereisanadequatedistancebetweenthem.
Thedistancebetweenthetwoelectrodesshouldbemorethanthetotal
widthofspacing

20. CROSSFIRE
Cross fire technique
Half of the treatment period is given with the electrodes in one position and then
they are moved to be at right angle to that obtained during the first part of the
treatment

21. MONOPOLAR
Monopolar technique
The active electrode is placed over the site of the lesion, while the indifferent one is
applied to some distant part of the body

22. DOSAGE
Moderateheating:comfortablewarmth
Mildheating:mildgentlewarmth
Minimalperceptibleheating:sothatyoucanonlyjustfeelthewarmth
Imperceptibleheating:nofeelingofwarmthatall
Ittakessome15-20minutesforvascularadjustmentstooccurandthusreach
asteadystate

23. INDICATION
For chronicand mild conditions:
-Myositis and arthritis.
-Pelvic inflammation.
-Otitis media.
-Bronchitis.
-Sinusitis.

24. CONTRAINDICATION
Acuteinflammatoryconditionsorhemorrhage:
Heatingofthetissuesbydiathermycausesdilatationofbloodvessels.
Notafteraninjuryorinanycasewherehemorrhagehasrecentlyoccurred
ormayoccur,(gastricorintestinaldiseasesassociatedwithulceration).
Notontheabdomenorpelvisduringmenstruation

25. CONTRAINDICATION
Venousthrombosisorphlebitis:Applicationofshortwavediathermymay
aggravatetheinflammatoryprocess
Arterialdiseases:Notappliedtopartswhichhavedefectivebloodsupply
Pregnancy:Diathermyshouldn’tbeappliedtotheabdomenorpelvis
duringpregnancy.
Metalsinthetissues:Diathermycausesconcentrationofelectricfieldin
themetal,whichmayprecipitateburns

26. CONTRAINDICATION
Lossofskinsensation:Itissafertoavoidtheapplicationofdiathermyto
caseswherethereislossofskinsensation.
Tumors:Shortwavediathermyshouldn’tbeappliedtoareasofmalignant
growth
X-raytherapy:X-raytherapydevitalizesthetissues,renderingthemmore
susceptibletodamage.SWshouldn’tbeappliedtoareasrecentlyexposed
totherapeuticdosesofX-rays

27. The end