Short Wave Diathermy

(SWD)

By

Introduction
Use of high freq electromagnetic waves
of the freq b/w 107 and 108 Hz. and

wavelength b/w 30 to 3m to
generate heat in the body tissues.
The therapeutically used freq and
wavelengths are 27.12MHz and
11m.

Principle
This type of current can only be produced by
discharging a condenser through an inductance of low
ohmic resistance.
If a current of very high freq is required , the
capacitance and inductance should be small and if
a current of low freq is required the capacitance
and inductance should be large.
This the mechanism of high freq current.

Construction
The machine circuit
consist on two transformers, whose
primary coils are connected to source.
one is step down. whose sec coil supplies
current to filament of triode valve.
other is step up. which is connected to
anode circuit. it carries the current produce
by valve. here it consist of triode valve and
oscillator circuit.
oscillator circuit consist of condenser and
oscillator coil.
current of different freq can be obtained by
selecting suitable condensers and
inductances.
to produce high freq current, the
capacitance and inductance should be
small.

The patient circuit

patient circuit is coupled to
machine by inductor coil.
high freq current is produced in
resonator circuit by electromagnetic
induction.'
for this to happen , the oscillator
and resonator circuits must be in
resonance with each other

Working
The AC from main passes through primary coils of
the transformers and EMF is induced in sec coils.
An EMF of 20 to 25 volt is step-up in sec coil of
step-down transformer and produces current through
filament of the valve.
The filament is heated and thermionic emission
takes place and current flows through valve.

Methods of application
Condenser field method
Cable method
When short wave diathermy is applied by the condenser
field method, the electrodes and the patients tissues
form a capacitor. The capacitance of such a capacitor
depends upon
1. Size of electrodes
2. Distance b/w electrodes
3. Tissue b/w electrodes.

Capacitor field method

The electrodes are placed on each side of the part being
treated.
The electrodes are separated by the skin by means of an
insulating material.
The electrodes act as the plates of the capacitor, while
the patients tissues together with the insulating material
which separates them from the electrodes for the
dielectric.
When the current is applied, rapidly alternating charges are
step-up on the electrodes and gives rise to a rapidly
alternating electric field b/w them.
The electric field also influences the materials which lies
within it.

Types of electrodes
Pad electrodes
Plate electrodes
Disk electrodes

Spacing of electrodes

If distance is small, and material b/w

them is of high dielectric constant,
lines of forces spread.
Size of electrodes
If distance is large, the spreading out
If the two electrodes are of different size,
of the electric field is minimal.
they will behave as a capacitor of different
plates.
If space is narrow, superficial tissue
If the electrodes are little larger than
lies in concentrated part of field close
area treated, outer part where spread is
to electrode.
greatest is deliberately no utilized.
If the diameter of the electrodes is smaller If two electrodes are placed at two
than that of the limbs of forces spread in
unequal distance from body, one
the tissues, causing more heating of
electrode is placed nearer to body
superficial than deep structures
than other, then there will be greatest
If diameter of electrodes is far larger
than that of diameter of limb, some of
heating effect under closer electrode
lines of force bypass it completely and
than under the further one.
thus results in wastage of energy.

Positioning of electrodes
Coplanar

Monopolar

Used over large area of body e.g. spine

Also called as parallel method
Suitable for superficial structures.

One electrode is used on the

treatment area and other placed at a
distance site or not used at all.
Electrode used produces a radial
electric field.

Contra planar

Crossfire technique

Used for those structures where through In this tech one electrode placed in
one direction (medial or lateral) and
and through heating is required. E.g.
other in other direction (anterior or
Hip, shoulder joint.
posterior).
Suitable for deeper structures and
Used in treatment of knee joint ,
tissues.
sinuses and for pelvic organs.

Cable method
In this method, a thick insulated cable is used for treatment
purpose.
Electric field or magnetic field or both are achieved by the
use of cable method.
When the high freq current oscillates in the cable, a varying
electrostatic field is set up b/w its ends and a varying
magnetic field around its center.
The cable is coiled around the patients body and is separated
from the patient's body by a layer of insulating material.

Advantages of cable method

For the treatment of extensive area
When the area is irregular
When it is desirable to avoid
heating of the subcutaneous fat.

Disadvantages of cable method

The impossibility of using air

spacing.

Dosage
The treatment dosage should have an intensity that
causes sufficient warmth (thermal dosage) of the
tissues and the duration of the treatment should
be 20 to 30 min.
The treatment may be given daily or on an
alternate day.

Physiological effects
Effects
Effects
Effects
Effects
Effects

on metabolism of the body.

due to inc blood supply.
of heat on the nervous tissues.
of heat on the muscular tissues.
of heat on the sweat glands.

Therapeutic effects
Effect on inflammation
Effects in bacterial infection
Relief of pain
Effects of muscle tissue
Traumatic conditions
Reducing healing time.

Dangers
Burns
Scalds
Electric shock
Overdose
Precipitation of gangrene.
Faintness
Giddiness
Dangers to hearing aids or cardiac
pacemaker.
Dangers to other equipments.

Contraindications
Open wounds or hemorrhage
Metal in the tissue
Disturbed skin sensation
Venous thrombosis or
thrombophlebitis
Arterial disease
Menstruation
Pregnancy
Tumors
Deep x-ray cobalt therapy
Unconscious patient
Epileptic patients
Uncooperative patient.

Pulsed short wave diathermy

It is referred to as pulsed electromagnetic energy which is created by simply
interrupting the output of continuous short wave diathermy at regular
intervals.
It was invented in 1930s
The freq of pulsed short wave diathermy is same as that of continuous short
wave diathermy.
Pulse freq is b/w 25 and 600pps, pulse width is b/w 20 and 40ms.
By adding rest period to the treatment, the average power is considerably
reduced.
The heat developed in the tissues is dispersed by the circulation and treatment
is thus referred to as nonthermal treatment.
Pulsed short wave diathermy inc the cellular activity, inc the reabsorption of
hematoma, reduces inflammation, reduce swelling and inc the repair process.
The treatment duration varies from 15 to 60 min and indications and
contraindications are almost similar to that of short wave diathermy.

Microwave diathermy

Introduction
Use of microwaves for various therapeutic purposes is term as
microwave diathermy.
It has much higher freq and shorter wavelength than short
wave diathermy.
The freq and wavelength ranges from 300MHz to 300GHz
and 1cm to 1m .
The microwave diathermy can directly penetrate into the
tissues to some extent and can be strongly absorbed by water
and high vascular tissues.

Production of microwave
The microwave diathermy apparatus is connected to main AC which
provides it a current of 50Hz and a voltage of 220volts.
It is not possible to produce microwaves by mechanical means and
hence a special type of thermionic valve is used which is called a
magnetron.
The function of a magnetron is to produce high freq current required
for the production of microwaves.
Magnetron is special type of thermionic valve characterized by
centrally placed cathode and a surrounding circular metal anode.
Coaxial cable carries these high freq currents from the magnetron and
passes it to the antenna of the emitter.
Antenna is mounted in front of a metal reflector.
Reflector is a metal plate which directs the microwaves in only one
direction.

Physiological and therapeutic effects

Same as SWD

Dangers and contraindications

Same

Long wave diathermy

 use of high freq electromagnetic waves of the freq 1MHz and wavelength
300m.
Long wave diathermy has less freq (1MHz) than short wave diathermy
(27.12MHz) so there is minimal loss of energy.
The power output req for long wave diathermy is 25-75 watts only, whereas
short wave diathermy generates 250 to 1000watts of power.
Unlike short wave diathermy, long wave diathermy does not produce any
interference with other equipment.
It is said that long wave diathermy can be used even with patients having
metal implants.
Also the portability and affordability of equipment is good in long wave
diathermyas compared to short wave diathermy.

For More Notes and Past Papers of

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