Intro to Physical Agents Flashcards
What are Physical Agents?
Energy and material applied to patients to assist in rehabilitation
Include: Heat Cold Water Pressure Sound Electromagnetic radiation Electrical currents
Categories of Physical Agents
Thermal
Mechanical
Electromagnetic
Thermal
Transfer energy to a patient to increase or decrease tissue temperature
Can be superficial or deep
Examples:
Hot packs, Cold packs, US, Whirlpool or Diathermy
Mechanical
Applies force to either increase or decrease pressure on the body
Examples:
Water, Traction, Compression and Sound
Electromagnetic
Applies energy via electromagnetic radiation or an electrical current
Examples:
UV radiation, infrared, laser, diathermy, and electrical stimulation
History: Why change in use?
Ineffective
-IR lamps for wounds – dried out
Inefficient
-Sunlight for Tuberculosis
Cumbersome
-Diathermy
Excessive risks
-Diathermy
Level at which physical agents have a direct effect…
Impaired body function and structure
Ex) Muscle paresis, hypotonicity, pain, sensory deficits, atrophy, soft tissue tightness
Can modalities be used alone?
NO! it’s not PT
Evaluation and Planning for the Use of Physical Agents
- Physician referral as needed
- Medical Diagnosis
- Precautions/Contraindications
- Examination
Documentation of PA used
Physical agents used
Area of body treated
Patient position during treatment
Intervention duration
Parameters
Outcomes including progress towards goals
Regressions or complications
Precaution
Conditions under which a particular form of treatment should be applied with special care or limitations
Relative
Contraindication
Conditions under which a particular treatment should NOT be applied
Absolute
General Contraindications/Precautions
Pregnancy
Malignancy
Pacemaker or other implanted device
Impaired Sensation or Mentation (lack of communication)
Selection of Physical Agents
Goals and Effects of Treatment
Contraindications and Precautions
Evidence for Physical Agent Use
Cost, Convenience, and Availability
Quality Research
Patient / Population
- Question should apply to a specific population
- More specific = less evidence
Intervention
-Specific
Comparison
-Control
Outcome
-Defined as precisely as possible
Effects of Physical Agents
Modification of tissue
inflammation and healing
Relief of pain
Modification of muscle tone
Alteration of collagen extensibility and motion restriction
3 phases of tissue healing
1) Inflammation (Days 1-6)
2) Proliferation (Days 3-20)
3) Maturation (Days 9+)
Cardinal Signs of Inflammation
Heat = increased vascularity Redness = increased vascularity Swelling = lymphatic drainage blockage Pain = pressure or irritation of pain sensitive areas Loss of function = pain and swelling
Inflammation Phase
1) Vasoconstriction
2) Vasodilation
3) Clot Formation
4) Phagocytosis
Proliferation Phase
1) Epithelialization
2) Collegen production
3) Wound contracture
4) Neovascularization
Maturation Phase
1) Collegen Synthesis/Lysis balance
2) Collegen Fiber organization
Vascular Response
1) Vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation at the capillaries, postcapillary venules and lymphatics
- Vasodilation mediated by chemical mediators
2) Leukocyte Extravasation
- Movement out of the circulatory system and towards the site of tissue damage or infection
3) Accumulation of fluid in the interstitial tissue (outside the vessels) resulting in edema
Hemostatic response
Controls blood loss when vessels are damaged or ruptured.
Retracts and sealing off of blood vessels
Platelets form clots and assist in building of fibrin lattice, which serves as wound’s source of tensile strength
Cellular Response
Phagocytosis
-Neutrophils rid the injury site of bacteria and debris
(24 hrs then disintegrate)
Monocytes
- Predominate for 24-48 hrs
- Convert to macrophages when they migrate from capillaries into the tissue spaces
Macrophages
- Most important cell in inflammation!
- Produce while range of chemicals
- Facilitate the removal of necrotic tissue and bacteria
- Promote cell proliferation
- Influence the number of fibroblastic repair cells - Most effective when oxygen is present.
Resident macrophages
Proliferation Purpose
cover the wound and regain some of it’s initial strength.
Clinical signs:
- Granulation tissue is generated which is characterized by red, beefy, shiny tissue with a granular appearance
- Wound begins to fill
Proliferation at the cellular level
Cell activity consists of macrophages-stimulated collagen synthesis, capillary formation, wound contraction and wound epithelialization