MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

 

WHAT IS MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

Microwave diathermy is one of the deep heating modality using a form of electromagnetic radiations called microwaves which is been used for therapeutic purpose, and the most widely used therapeutic frequency and wavelength for microwave diathermy is 2450 MHz and 12.245 cm respectively.

these waves lie between shortwaves and infrared waves in the electromagnetic spectrum. and the frequencies lie in the range of 300 - 30,000 MHz and wavelengths of 10 mm per meter.

Frequency (MHz)               Wavelengths (cm)

     2450                                         12.245

     916                                           32.79

     433.9                                        69.14

PRODUCTION OF MICROWAVE RADIATION

The microwave radiations can be produced in the modality circuit which is designed as:

(1) Power supply: this is the alternating current (AC) source from the main supply 

(2) Intensity control: this is where the intensity of the current can be control

(3) Magnetron (diode valve): this diode valve produces a high frequency alternating current, carried by a coaxial cable to the transducer head (director)

(4) Transducer head: this transducer head contains an antenna and a reflector, the high frequency current passes through the antenna and this results in the transformation of electrical energy into electromagnetic energy, this energy is focused by reflector and then beamed to the tissues.

THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

(1) Pain relief

(2) Reducing muscle spasm

(3) Reducing chronic Inflammation and oedema

(4) Promote healing process of wound or injury

(5) Promote treatment of chronic infection

(6) Fibrosis: used for increasing extensibility of fibrous tissues like scars, joint capsules e.t.c.

BIOPHYSICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

(1) Penetration: which depends on the frequency of the wave and the properties of the medium, which is penetrating

(2) Absorption: as a result of interaction of electromagnetic energy and different dipolar molecules of tissues which result in the transformation of electromagnetic energy into heat energy which will be absorb by tissues like muscle and other tissues of high fluid content

(3) Reflection: as the proportion of waves reaching the deeper tissues is also depend on the amount of energy which is reflected at the air-skin, skin-fat and fat-muscle which will be interface back into the air, the skin and the subcutaneous fatty layer respectively.

METHODS OF APPLICATION OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

There are two methods of application of microwave diathermy which are:

(1) Radiating emitter: In this method the emitter is kept at some distance from the patient's body so that the microwaves can pass through the intervening air to reach the patient's tissues

Two types:

(a) Circular emitter

(b) Rectangular emitter

(2) Direct contact emitter: In this method the emitter is in direct contact with the patient's body surface, here most used frequency is 915 MHz and 433.9 MHz.

this method is useful for treating cavities and also has deeper effect than radiating emitter.

INDICATIONS OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

(1) Muscle and tendon tears

(2) Synovitis

(3) Bursitis

(4) Heamatoma

(5) Capsular lesions

(6) Carbuncles

(7) Abscesses

(8) Degenerative joint disease

(9) Chronic rheumatoid arthritis

(10) Joint stiffness (especially superficial joints)

(11) Sprains and strains

(12) Superficial inflammatory and infective conditions

CONTRAINDICATIONS OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

(1) Over pacemaker

(2) Over ischaemic issues

(3) Over metallic implants 

(4) Over malignant tissues

(5) Impaired thermal sensation

(6) Over haemorrhagic areas

(7) Over the eyes

(8) After recently analgesic therapy

(9) Acute infection or inflammation

(10) Recent radiotherapy

(11) Hypersensitivity to heat

(12) Unreliable patient

(13) Venous thrombosis

DANGERS AND PRECAUTIONS OF MICROWAVE DIATHERMY THERAPY

(1) Burns: the greatest danger associated with application of microwave diathermy is burn.

therefore to avoid occurrence of burn, the following precautions should be taken:

  • Check all the contraindications by examining the patient's case history of the area to be treated by questioning the patient
  • Test the thermal sensitivity of the patient's skin which is always must be performed

Comments

  1. lumiredJune 16, 2021 at 9:15 PM

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  2. Olivia bushJune 17, 2021 at 9:18 PM

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