Diathermy Flashcards
What is the most common type of diathermy unit?
Short wave diathermy
T/F/
Microwave diathermy penetrates deeper than short wave diathermy
False. Microwave D does not penetrate as deep.
T/F
Microwave diathermy is safer than short wave?
False, shortwave is safer.
How is thermal energy generated in diathermy?
By kinetic energy created by the movement of ions (oscillation, dipole rotation).
Diathermy will produce an electric field or a magnetic field based on what?
Electrode type
Capacitive technique (capacitor electrodes) produce what kind of field?
Electrical field
Induction technique (induction electrodes) produce what kind of field?
Magnetic field
With capacitive technique, what tissues will receive the greatest absorption?
Tissues with low electrolyte and water content: e.g. Adipose
Because capacitive technique may head subQ fat more than muscle, what areas should you apply it to?
Knee, foot, hand, shoulder, etc. Or on thin patients.
What are the two types of electrodes in capacitive technique?
plates and pads
What tissues have the greatest absorption with inductance technique?
High electrolyte, hi dipole tissues (e.g. muscle, tendons, joints, etc).
What kind of patients would be best to utilize inductance technique on?
Patients with high subQ fat content.
What kind of electrodes will be used with inductance technique?
Garments, cables, drum
Grothuss-Draper law states what?
Absorption vs therapeutic effect. How well it’s absorbed will determine how effective it is.
What does the inverse square law state?
Dose vs divergence
What does the Arndt-Schultz law state?
Dose vs response
What does the Cosine law state?
The energy is reduced if the angle is increased
How commonly untilized is continuous short wave diathermy?
Not very common
How common is pulsed short wave diathermy?
More common, deals with heat vs no heat.
What are the physiologic effects of heat?
Pain relief, wound management, joint contracture.
What are the indications of diathermy?
Osteoarthritis, neck/back pain, ankle pain, dermal wounds, other muskuloskeltal wounds and pain.
What are the physiologic effects of Pulsed (non-thermal) diathermy?
Increased healing and stimulation of cellular metabolism
What is one major contraindication for diathermy that sticks out
Do not use over an area that has lost feeling.
