DI AT H E R M Y

SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY
 Definition
SWD means the application of
high frequency electrical energy
to the body tissues in order to
bring physiological and
therapeutic effects, these effects
can be achieved by thermal or
non thermal effect.
 Description of SWD

 High-frequency electrical currents

 Pass through the tissues

 Cause molecular vibration

 Results in deep heating

 Capable of heating large volumes of tissues

 Causes both thermal and non-thermal effects

 Description of SWD
 Used To Generate Heat In Body Tissues
 Heat Produced By Resistance of Tissues

Diathermy
machine
 Possible Shortwave
Diathermy Unit

 A=Power Switch
 B=Timer
 C=Power Meter(monitors current from power
supply not current entering patient-volume
control)
 D=Output Intensity(%max power to patient)
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 Shortwave is one of the diathermy family.

 Other modalities that can also heat the

tissues are microwave .

 Shortwave, microwave can heat the

tissues up to a very deep layer.
 Shortwave Has Three Main
Frequencies:

 27.12 MHz, wavelength 11 M (most

common used one).

 13.56 MHz wavelength 22 M.

 40.68 MHz 7.5 M.

 Shortwave Diathermy
Machine
First we have the power supply.

Inside the machine there is a high

frequency generator + an amplifier +
oscillator coil + resonator coil + variable
capacitor.

Outside the machine we have two

electrodes + the part being treated
Circuits
 There Are Two Circuits Here:

1) Machine circuit : composed of a

high frequency generator,
amplifier, oscillator coil.

2) Patient circuit: composed of a

resonator coil, variable capacitor,
electrodes and the treated tissue.
 Shortwave produces both electric and
magnetic fields.
The amount of electric field to
magnetic field is dependent on:
1) The characteristic of the machine itself
(dependent on the manufacturer).
2) The type of electrodes that we use.
 Shortwave Can Be Used in Two
Modes:
1) Continuous (energy is emitted all the time).

2) Pulsed (energy is emitted part of the time).

 When using the pulsed shortwave, there are

certain parameters that we need to know:
 Pulse width: measured by micro seconds.

 Pulse frequency: how many pulses we have per

second measured by Hz or pulses per second (PPS)
 Continuous shortwave is always thermal.

 Pulsed shortwave can be thermal or non

thermal.

 High parameters usually gives thermal

effect.

.
 SWD Physiological Events
Summary
Electromagnetic Radiation

CSWD PSWD

Electromag. Energy absorption

Incr. molecular KE cell ion-binding properties, protein

synthesis

Thermal Effect Athermal Effect

Increased cell metabolism and function

Enhanced soft-tissue healing

 Advantages of Shortwave
 The deep penetration, it goes deep to
5cm.

 It covers large areas.

 It can heat the deeper tissue without

heating the superficial tissue
 Types of
Electrodes:
1) Flexible plates
2) Space electrode
3) Monode
4) Minod
5) Coil

 Minode and monode are called

“drums”
SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY by
two means;

Condenser Induction

Field Field
 Shortwave Can Be Applied
In Two Ways:
1) Condenser (the electric field is more
than the magnetic field) :

2) Inductance (the magnetic field is more

than the electric field) :
 Capacitor Electrodes
 Electrical Field Is The
Lines of Force Exerted on
Charged Ions That Cause
Movement From One Pole
To Another
 Center Has Higher

Current Density Than

 Patient Is Between Electrodes and Becomes Part
Periphery
of Circuit
 Tissue Is Between Electrodes in a Series Circuit
Arrangement
 Ways of Application
 Contraplanar
- Transverse positioning
- plates are on either side of the
limb
 Ways of Application
 Coplanar
- plates parallel with the
longitudinal section of the body
part; same side
 Ways of Application
 Longitudinal
- plates are placed at each end of
the limb
 Induction Electrodes

 Passing Current Through A Coiled Cable

Creates A Magnetic Field By Inducing
Eddy Currents (small circular electrical
fields) That Generate Heat

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 Induction field

 Induction Field Diathermy

Pad Electrodes

Increasing The
Spacing Will Increase
The Depth Of
Penetration But Will
Decrease The Current
Density
 Heating With Continuous
SWD
 Patient Sensation Provides Basis For
Recommendations Of Continuous SWD

 Dose I (Lowest) (<38 W) - No Sensation of

Heat
 Dose II (Low) (~80 W)- Mild Heating Sensation

 Dose III (Medium) (80-300 W) - Moderate or

Pleasant Heating Sensation
 Dose IV (Heavy) (>300 W) -Vigorous Heating
Within Pain Threshold
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 Air Space Electrodes
 They come in different sizes.
 Can be used in almost every part of the
body, but because they are rigid they will
not fit every contour.
 It can be put on either side of the limb, or
can be used in the same side.
 .
 Skin-electrode distance: is the distance
between the electrode and the skin.

 If we place two electrodes at the same distance

there will be even heating.

 If we placed one electrode closer to the skin

than the other, the heating won’t be even, it will
be more near the closer electrode.

 If we used a large electrode and a small one the

heating will be more near to the small.
 Flexible Electrodes
 When using them you should insure it is in full
contact.

 We have to wrap it in towel that is 2 cm thick,

less than that could cause a burn, more than that
will affect the amount of heating created in the
body.

 Distance between the electrodes should be equal

to the diameter of the electrode,
 Coil
 Usually used for limbs

 Used in two ways:

1) wrapped around the part being treated.
2) Pancake (usually used on the back).

 When wrapping, the space between one turn

and the other should be 5 to 10cm and it is
insure by felt spacers (comes from the
manufacturer).

 It is known to heat the deeper tissue without

heating the superficial tissue.
Induction Electrodes
(Drum Electrode)
One Or More Mono- polar
Coils
Rigidly Fixed In A Housing
Unit
May Use More Than One
Drum
Depending On Area Treated

Penetration
Deeper Soft Tissues
Toweling Important 32
 Drum Electrodes
 It is known to heat the deeper tissue
without heating the superficial tissue.
 Penetration to 3cm.
 Make sure that the fat layer of the patient
is not more than 2cm, because the
penetration will be limited and the
absorption of heat will accumulate in the
fat layer which might cause burn.
 Methods of Applying The
Electrodes
1) Contraplanar electrodes are placed on opposite sides
of the part, to treat deeply placed structures.

2) Coplanar: electrodes are placed on the same side of

the part to treat more superficial structures.

3) Cross-fire: half the treatment is given with the

electrodes in a diagonal way, the other half of the
treatment is put on the opposite way. This method is
usually used for sinuses and body cavities such as the
uterus.

4) Longitudinal: one flexible electrode is used with a

space electrode.
 Factors Influencing The
Field
 Spacing between the electrodes.

 Electrode size.

 The technique applied.

 Metal (If the patient has a metal

implants, or if the bed is made of
metal).
 Physiological Effects of
Shortwave (Thermal)
 Increase of tissue temperature by 1
degree  increase metabolism (good for
healing).

 Increase of tissue temperature by 2-3

degrees effective for pain and muscle
spasm.

 Increase of tissue temperature by 3-4

degrees good for tissue extensibility
(when we need to do stretching).
 Contraindications
 Metal implants or  Vascular diseases
metal jewelry  Hemorrhage
 Pregnancy(or IUD)  Fever
 During menses  Inflammation
 Cardiac pacemaker  Tuberculoses
 Radiation therapy  Impaired thermal
 Malignant tissue
sensation
 Blood pressure
abnormalities
 Eyes, face mainly skull
 Indications
 Sprain
 Strain
 Muscle and tendon tear
 Capsule lesion
 Degenerative joint disease
 Joint stiffness
 Hematoma
 Synovitis
 Bursitis
 Abscess
 Effects of Thermal
Shortwave
 Increase blood flow
 Promote tissue healing
 Decrease inflammation
 Decrease pain
 Increase tissue extensibility
 decrease muscle spasm
 Control infection
 Duration
 Average of 15-30 minutes depending on
the site of the area and the patient’s
response

 When increasing the intensity wait for 2-3

minutes to allow the temperature to build
in the tissue before moving to the next
stage.
MICROWAVE DIATHERMY
Superficial and deep heating
Frequency: 300 MHz to 300 GHz
Wavelength: 1m to 1mm
Therapeutic Parameters:
A. 2450 MHz
B. 915 MHz
C. 433.9 MHz
Dosage: acute 5 to 15 minutes
chronic 10 to 20 minutes
MICROWAVE DIATHERMY
 Microwave Diathermy
Unit

 A = Power switch
 B = Timer
 C = Output meter (indicates relative output in
Watts)
 D = Power output level knob
 E = Amber light - warming up; Red light - ready
MICROWAVE DIATHERMY
APPARATUS
Microwave Diathermy
Electrodes

 Circular-shaped electrodes
 4” or 6” in diameter
 Maximum temperature at
periphery
 Rectangular-shaped electrodes
 4.5”x 5” or 5” x 21”
 Maximum temperature at center
DEPTH OF
PENETRATION(MWD)

• MINIMAL IN AREAS WITH SUBCUTANEOUS FAT > 1 CM

INDICATIONS

 Softtissue injury
 Pain relief
 Rheumatic conditions
 CONTRAINDICATIONS
 Pacemakers  Malignant CA
 Metal  Active TB
implants
 Impaired  Fever

sensation  Thrombosis
 Pregnancy  X-ray exposure
 Hemorrhage  Uncooperative
 Ischemic patient
Tissue  Areas of poor
 Testicles and circulation
eyes