Are you aware of evidence of the usage of ultrasound versus diathermy?
Answer
I could give a whole separate class on diathermy. There are two types of diathermy available and known these days. There is electrical diathermy or capacitive diathermy where you place a patient’s limb between two plates. Diathermy uses electromagnetic energy and it heats up the tissue much deeper. If you have two plates touching the lateral and the medial knee, you would get heating 5 cm deep on one plate and 5 cm deep on the other plate. It does heat deeper than ultrasound and treats a larger area than ultrasound. Diathermy has gotten a bad rap. A study which came out of the Netherlands had a number of therapists who used diathermy regularly and it was shown that those female therapists had a slight increase in incidence of miscarriages. Keep in mind that this study was from about 15-20 years ago. The diathermy machines that were used back then were big machines with a lot of stray diathermy energy. The diathermy energy did not stay between the two plates, it created energy all over the area. Diathermy would be more advantageous then ultrasound if you are trying to treat a bigger area and need for deeper penetration of heat. Diathermy has been shown to be effective in osteoarthritis of the knee, joint range of motion especially at the ankle for dorsiflexion, hamstring flexibility, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, etc. To my knowledge there has not been a direct comparison of ultrasound and diathermy. Diathermy has made a name for itself with chronic inflammatory pelvic disease in female for treating pain. There is a lot of literature from Europe and Africa on this.
There is also single plate diathermy which uses a pulsed magnetic field to treat tissues. It also treats about 5 cm deep. Diathermy as well seems to treat tissue that has more water a little more preferentially. It does not really heat up fat (adipose tissue) and tends to direct itself towards muscle and the fluid within a joint space. In that aspect, diathermy seems a little superior over ultrasound.
Andrew Starsky, PT, PhD
Andrew Starsky earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Degree from Marquette University in 1992. After practicing in the engineering field for 3 years, he returned to Marquette and received a Masters of Physical Therapy degree in 1998. While working full time, he starting to pursue a terminal degree in Biomedical Engineering and received his Ph.D. in 2007. He has been part of the adjunct faculty since 1999 and became a full time Clinical Assistant Professor in 2005. Andrew teaches the didactic portion of the DPT program in the 5th and 6th years. He lives in Mequon with his wife and 4 kids and is an active participant in ultramarathons, Nordic ski races, and adventure races.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/upper-extremity-function-and-stages-4653Upper Extremity Fractures and Stages of Fracture HealingBased on the latest evidence of fracture healing and complications responsible for impaired healing, this course also includes the classification of fractures, stages of healing, and case studies.auditory, textual, visual
Based on the latest evidence of fracture healing and complications responsible for impaired healing, this course also includes the classification of fractures, stages of healing, and case studies.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/diabetes-in-adults-current-guidelines-3958Diabetes in Adults: Current Guidelines and EvidenceThis course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/physical-therapist-guide-exercise-prescription-4483A Physical Therapist Guide to Exercise Prescription for the Diabetic and Pre-diabetic PopulationThis course equips the physical therapist to identify pre-diabetes and type 1 diabetes in their patients based on history and clinical signs and symptoms. Exercise Prescription, the interaction of other medications, and modulation of a current exercise program for patients with diabetes as a co-morbidity are also included. This course also includes the management of diabetes from a Covid-19 perspective. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 3 hours of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
This course equips the physical therapist to identify pre-diabetes and type 1 diabetes in their patients based on history and clinical signs and symptoms. Exercise Prescription, the interaction of other medications, and modulation of a current exercise program for patients with diabetes as a co-morbidity are also included. This course also includes the management of diabetes from a Covid-19 perspective.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 3 hours of Direct Access CE credit.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/overcoming-compassion-fatigue-in-our-4314Overcoming Compassion Fatigue in Our Work EnvironmentThis seminar will describe the stages, causes, symptoms, and consequences of compassion fatigue. It will also introduce strategies for assessing levels of stress and implementing strategies to prevent/minimize the development of compassion fatigue in your healthcare setting. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.auditory, textual, visual
This seminar will describe the stages, causes, symptoms, and consequences of compassion fatigue. It will also introduce strategies for assessing levels of stress and implementing strategies to prevent/minimize the development of compassion fatigue in your healthcare setting. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/hemophilia-101-3822Hemophilia 101Hemophilia is a medical diagnosis seen few and far between on caseload, however one that has nuances that the clinician needs to be aware of prior to initiating services. This introductory course will cover what hemophilia is, its impact on the adult patient across the different continuum of care, and the critical education you need to pass onto your clients. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
Hemophilia is a medical diagnosis seen few and far between on caseload, however one that has nuances that the clinician needs to be aware of prior to initiating services. This introductory course will cover what hemophilia is, its impact on the adult patient across the different continuum of care, and the critical education you need to pass onto your clients. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and athletic training and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA and AT.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
