SHORT WAVE DIATHERMY

Resource person ;
Dr. Ali Raza
 REVIEW

• SWD – Cable method

• Heat production by SWD

• Technique of application of electrodes

• Size of electrode

• Electrode spacing

• Position of electrodes
 INTRODUCTION

• Cable method

• Techniques of application

• Physiological effects
 Cable Method

• Cable method used for the production of SWD

• Effect of electric field may be utilized

• Effect of magnetic field may be utilized

• Both effects can be used at same time

 Cable Method

• To make full use of electric field – the ends of cable

should lie as far as possible from each other

• To use magnetic field – center of cable is used

• Cable should be wound in same direction throughout

Induction Electrodes
(Cable Electrode)
• Two Arrangements:
– Pancake Coils
– Wraparound Coils
• Toweling Is Essential
• Pancake Coil Must Have
6” in Center Then 5-
10cm Spacing Between
Turns
CABLE MRTHOD - TREATMENT OF LIMB

• Cable should be coiled round the part

• Both electric and magnetic fields are utilized

CABLE MRTHOD - TREATMENT OF LIMB

• For area of high impedance – the electrostatic

fields between the ends of the cable is most

effective

• For low impedance area – eddy’s current produce

satisfactory heating
Passing Current Through A Coiled Cable Creates A
Magnetic Field By Inducing Eddy Currents (small
circular electrical fields) That Generate Heat
 TREATMENT OF FLAT SURFACE

• Back or abdomen – cable can be arranged in

flat helix

• Two helices can also be made – magnetic lines

of force link the two coils

 TREATMENT OF FLAT SURFACE

• There should be considerable distance between

the two helices – otherwise intense heating can
cause burn

• Grid arrangement can also be used – magnetic

field is complex and donot penetrate deeply
into the tissues
 TREATMENT OF FLAT SURFACE

• Two coils may be placed on flat surface – or

they may be arranged on the opposite surface

of the body same as condensor field method

 CABLE METHOD WITH CONDENSOR FIELD
METHOD

• Cable may be used in conjuction with one

condensor electrode

• Used in particular conditions – for treatment

of hip joint in flexion deformity

 MONODE ELECTRODE

• Works on the same principle as cable

• Consist of flat helix of thick wire mounted on

rigid support
Induction Electrodes
(Drum Electrode)

• May Use More Than

One Drum Depending

On Area Treated

• Toweling Important
 DISADVANTAGE OF CABLE METHOD

• Imposibility of using air spacing

• Skin is liable to become warm

• Limit the effect

TECHNIQUES OF APPLICATION
 TESTING ON MACHINE

• Machine should be tested before use

• For condensor field method – electrodes are

arranged opposite to each other with a gap in
between
• Operator places her hand between the
electrodes
 TESTING ON MACHINE

• Switches on and tunes the machine

• Increases the current until a comfortable

warmth is felt
 TESTING ON MACHINE

• When cable is to be used – it may be arranged

in a single loop and tested with a neon tube

which lights up opposite to the antinodes

when adequate current is applied

 TESTING ON MACHINE

• Cable method – it can be coiled round the

operators arm and current is applied – until

warmth is felt

• After testing controls are returned to zero

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• The couch, chair or table used for patient

should not contain metal – as it can distort the

electric field and can be heated by the current

that may be induced in it

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Clothing is removed from the area to be treated

• It can be slightly damp from prespiration

• It may be tight – interfere with flow of blood

• If not removed - Necessary inspection of skin will not

be possible
 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Metal objects may pass undetected

• Make it difficult for the patient to appreciate

the sensation of warmth

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Area to be treated must be dry

• If area is damp it will be heated quickly and

give rise to sensation of warmth – which limits

the intensity of current that can be applied

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Metal and moisture have high dielectric constant

• Metal or damped objects should be removed from

the area to be treated within 30 cm of range of

electrodes
 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Wound or sinuses must be cleaned or covered with

dry dressing before commencing treatment

• Patient must be comfortable

• Part to be treated must be fully supported – as

movement may alter skin - electrode distance

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Skin sensation must be tested before the first

treatment

• Test may be carried out with test tubes

 PREPERATION OF THE PATIENT

• Hearing aids must be removed and left well

away from the machine

• Otherwise induced currents may cause serious

damage
 THE ELECTRODES

• Metals plates surrounded by insulating material

• Glass cover – position of metal can be adjusted

• Electrodes are commonly circular

• Special shapes are made for some irregular areas,

such as axilla
 THE ELECTRODES

• Electrodes may be rigid metal plate coated

with thin layer of insulated material either
rubber or plastic
• Plates are frequently convex at the edges and
provide a more even electric field then the flat
disc
 THE ELECTRODES

• Third type of electrodes – malleable metal plates

covered with thin layer of rubber

• Electrodes are seperated from skin by perforated

felt

• Or may be fixed by a strap or bandage

POSITION AND SIZE OF ELECTRODE

• It is important to remember that an electric

field can be set up from the edges and back of

electrode as well as from the front

• Knee joint
 THE LEADS

• The leads or the cable must be of the correct

length for particular electrodes
• Leads should lie parallel to each other – should not
approach close to any conductor
• Leads must be separated from the patients skin by
a distance at least as great as the electrode spacing
 APPLICATION OF THE CURRENT

• When patient, electrodes and leads are in position

– current is turned on

• Current should be turned up slowly allowing time

for vasodilatation to occur and for the patient to

appreciate the degree of heating

 APPLICATION OF THE CURRENT

• Operator should remain within call of patient

throughout the treatment

• Turn the current off immediately if the heating

becomes excessive
 APPLICATION OF THE CURRENT

• Controls should be turned to zero

• Current switched off

• Electrodes removed

• Skin may be faintly pink but there should be no

strong reaction
 Notes

• Should be kept of the

 Size of electrodes
 Spacing of electrodes
 Meter reading
 Duration of treatment
 Any reaction observed
 DOSAGE

• Intensity of application should be such that it

can cause sufficient warmth
• Duration – 20 - 30 minutes
• Application may be carried out daily or on
alternate days
 DOSAGE

• For acute conditions – application should be

less intense but can be carried out frequently

• Duration - 5 – 10 min
 DOSAGE

• Confined space inflammation – air sinuses –

excess treatment should be avoided

 PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SWD

• Production of heat in the body tissues and

physiological effects that result from the rise

in temperature
 INCREASED METABOLISM

• Any chemical change capable of being

accelerated by heat is accelerated by rise in
temperature
• Heating of tissue accelerates the chemical
change i.e., metabolism
 INCREASED BLOOD SUPPLY

• Increased metabolism – increased output of

waste products

• Direct effect on blood vessels – vasodilatation

• Increased blood flow through the area

 EFFECT ON NERVES

• Provided that the heating is not excessive –

reduce excitability of nerves

• Pain gate control theory

 EFFECT ON MUSCLE TISSUE

• Relaxation of muscles

• Increased blood supply ensures optimum

conditions for muscular contraction

• Increases efficiency of their action

 DESTRUCTION OF TISSUE

• Excessive heating causes coagulation and

destruction of tissues
 GENERAL RISE IN TEMPERATURE

• Blood will carry heat to other parts of the

body – can cause general rise in temperature
• Vasomotor center is affected and a
generalized dilatation of superficial blood
vessels can occur
 FALL IN BLOOD PRESSURE

• Generalized vasodilatation reduces peripheral

resistance to blood flow
• Heat also causes reduction in the viscosity of
blood
• Together they can cause fall in blood pressure
INCREASES ACTIVITY OF SWEAT GLANDS

• Local heating of skin increases the activity of

glands
• General rise of temperature – increased
activity of sweat glands
 SUMMARY

• Cable method

• Techniques of application

• Physiological effects