Short Wave Diathermy utilizes electromagnetic radio waves to convert energy to deep heat. As with ultrasound, short wave diathermy is thought to exert its therapeutic effects by both thermal and nonthermal mechanisms. The primary nonthermal mechanism associated with the use of therapeutic short wave diathermy occurs via vibration induction of tissue molecules when exposed to radio waves. By changing the characteristics of the shortwave applicator, the clinician can target the specific type of tissue he or she wants to heat. By using an inductive applicator that generates a magnetically induced eddy of radio wave currents in the tissues, selective heating of water-rich tissues such as muscle can be obtained.
Diathermy is a therapeutic modality that is most commonly used for joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The term diathermy refers to the creation of heat using electrical pulses. In diathermy, a high-frequency electric current is delivered via shortwave, microwave, or ultrasound which is able to generate deep heat in body tissues. The heat can be used to improve circulation and/or to relieve pain. In addition, shortwave diathermy can be used in medicine for treating damaged tissues and relaxing muscles.
Types of Short Wave Diathermy
Diathermy used in surgery is of typically two types.[9rx]
- Monopolar – where electric current passes from one electrode near the tissue to be treated to other fixed electrode (indifferent electrode) elsewhere in the body. Usually this type of electrode is placed in contact with buttocks or around the leg.[rx]
- Bipolar – where both electrodes are mounted on same pen-like device and electric current passes only through the tissue being treated. Advantage of bipolar electrosurgery is that it prevents the flow of current through other tissues of the body and focuses only on the tissue in contact. This is useful in microsurgery and in patients with cardiac pacemaker.
Methods of Application
A shortwave diathermy overheats tissues by means of the high-frequency electrical or magnetic fields. Respectively, there are two methods of the shortwave diathermy:
- Condenser shortwave diathermy (high-frequency electrical field)
- Induction shortwave diathermy (high-frequency magnetic field)
Condenser shortwave diathermy overheats the tissues by means of the high-frequency electrical field between two conducting plates of a condenser; these are two electrodes connected to the shortwave diathermy device. The electrodes can be stationary (usually 10 mm, 75 mm, or 128 mm in diameter), flexible (usually 120 × 180 mm or 180 × 240 mm), or of a special shape (for example, vaginal, axillary, or for boil treatment). Depending on the type of electrodes, they are always covered with various insulating materials for safety purposes: glass, rubber, plastics etc.
Uses/ Indications of Short Wave Diathermy
Some typical uses/ indications for shortwave diathermy treatment are described as follows:
- Chronic arthritis – induction or condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active electrode and 2–4cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 5–10 minutes per joint.
- Back pains – induction or condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active electrode and 2–4cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 15–20 minutes
- Neuralgia/Neuropathy – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active and 2–4cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–IV, treatment duration 15–20 minutes
- Tendonitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2 cm for the active and 4 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 5–10 minutes
- Chronic sinusitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active and 2–4cm for the passive electrode), dosage II, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic otitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 1–3 cm for the active and 4–6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic tonsillitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 3 cm for the active and 3 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic laryngitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 1–3 cm for the active and 1–3 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Bronchial asthma – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 6 cm for the active and 6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 4 cm for the active and 4–10 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–IV, treatment duration 15–20 minutes
- Chronic colitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–3 cm for the active and 3 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic pyelonephritis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 4–6 cm for the active and 6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic prostatitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active and 3–5 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Chronic adnexitis – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4 cm for the active and 4–6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 15–20 minutes
- Ovarian endocrinological dysfunction – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–4cm for the active and 6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes
- Mastitis – induction or condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 3–5 cm for the active and 4–6 cm for the passive electrode), dosage III, treatment duration 5–10 minutes
- Frostbite – condenser electrodes (distance from the treated body region, respectively 2–3 cm for the active and 2–3 cm for the passive electrode), dosage II–III, treatment duration 10–15 minutes.
- Arthritis
- Fibromyalgia
- muscle spasms
- Myositis
- Neuralgia
- Sprains and strains
- Tenosynovitis
- Tendonitis
- Bone injuries
- Bursitis
- Tenosynovitis
- Bursitis
Dosage of Short Wave Diathermy
A therapeutic dosage of shortwave diathermy can be estimated according to the following criteria:
Individual patient’s thermal sensations during the treatment
- The dosage I – athermic, slightly below the heat-perception threshold
- Dosage II – oligothermic, very mild thermal sensations
- Dosage III – thermic, nice thermal sensations
- Dosage IV – hyperthermic, strong but not unpleasant thermal sensations
Type and location of the pathological process
- The traditional rule is that in acute or subacute stages of a disease, mild dosages (I or II) are used, whereas in chronic pathologies, stronger dosages (III or IV) can be applied.
Treatment duration
- Usually from five to 20 minutes depending on indications and dosage. Treatments can be done on daily or every other day. The traditional course of treatments consists of 15 to 20 sessions and can be repeated after one week.
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