Short wave diathermy

Question 1

what is diathermy?

Answer 1

high frequency electromagnetic energy
generates heat in body tissues
(questionable) non thermal effects
short wave and microwave generators

Question 2

what is the most common type of shortwave diathermy unit?

Answer 2

radio transmitter

different electrode options

Question 3

microwave diathermy

Answer 3

FCC regulated
doesn’t penetrate as deeply as shortwave
not as safe as shortwave
applicator beams microwaves to part rather than electrodes as in shortwave

Question 4

what are the types of electrodes used in shortwave diathermy?

Answer 4

capacitor

induction

Question 5

what is capacitive technique

Answer 5

tissues are placed in an electric field
greatest absorption in tissues with low electrolyte and water content (adipose, may head subcutanesous fat more than muscle)
use for patients in areas with low subcutaneous fat

Question 6

what types of electrodes are used in capacitive electrodes

Answer 6

plates

pads

Question 7

what is inductive shortwave diathermy?

Answer 7

tissues are placed in an oscillating magnetic field
greatest absorption in high electrolyte, high dipole tissue (deeper, muscle, tendon, joint)
use for patients with more subcutaneous fat

Question 8

what electrodes are used in inductive shortwave diathermy?

Answer 8

drum
cables
garment

Question 9

what are the 4 laws?

Answer 9

arndt-shultz law
grotthuss-Draper law
inverse square law
cosine law

Question 10

arndt-shultz law

Answer 10

dose vs response

Question 11

grotthuss-draper law

Answer 11

absorption vs therapeutic effect

Question 12

inverse square law

Answer 12

dose vs divergence

Question 13

cosine law

Answer 13

angle of application is reduced if angle is increased

Question 14

what are the different interactions associated with shortwave diathermy?

Answer 14

transmission
refraction
absorption
reflexion
scattering

Question 15

continuous short wave diathermy

Answer 15

less common

Question 16

pulsed short wave diathermy

Answer 16

more common than continuous

heat vs no heat

Question 17

heated shortwave diathermy

Answer 17

pain relief, wound management, joint contracture

Question 18

what are the indications of shortwave diathermy?

Answer 18

osteoarthritis
neck/back pain
ankle pain
dermal wounds
other musculoskeletal injuries/musculoskeletal pain

Question 19

what are the physiologic responses of pulses diathermy?

Answer 19

increase healing
cellular stimultion (increased cellular metabolism)

Question 20

what are the contraindications of shortwave diathermy?

Answer 20

loss of sensation
electronic implants
surgically implanted metal
metal in contact with the skin
cancer
pregnant patients
hemorrhagic areas
ischemic areaas
testes
eyes
open growth plates in children

Question 21

what should you do before you use shortwave diathermy on a patietn?

Answer 21

test cold/warm sensation first
remove jewelry
2-3cm layer of towels for spacing
advise patient to remain still