Patient Education Sheet

-Diathermy-
Physical Properties:
Shortwave diathermy uses radio frequency energy to transmit heat and has the capability
of penetrating roughly three centimeters (Dondelinger, 2008, p. 286). Many therapeutic
researchers believe that due to newly designed machines, shortwave diathermy will return as a
major form of superficial treatment. These newer models create a safer treatment for the patient
and are cost effective (Gallo, 2009, p. 42). Shortwave diathermy can be administered in two
forms: pulse and continuous. Pulsed shortwave diathermy would be given with specific on/off
duty cycles, whereas continuous means that heat is given throughout the entire length of the
treatment (Shields et. al., 2002, p. 192).

Physiological Effects:
 Heats the target tissue
 Increases circulation
 Promotes vasodilation of the blood vessels
 Pain relief
 Increase ROM if done over an injured joint

When Is Shortwave Diathermy Most Beneficial?

Studies conducted in 2002 by Shields, Gormley, and O’Hare revealed that continuous and
pulse diathermy are most beneficial for different physiological problems. Continuous was most
useful when dealing with chronic pain. Therefore, it successfully treated problems such as, but
not limited to, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Pulsed diathermy was more efficient at
breaking down soft tissue swelling and local inflammation. Patients believed that pulsed
diathermy was most effective at dealing with hematomas, but was also ranked high treating
herpes zoster and pressure sores.

Safe Patient Preparation:

The patient should be seated comfortably in a wooden chair. If the target is the shoulder,
then fix the diathermy heads to the target area. If the area of injury is the back, the patient should
be placed in the prone position on a wooden table with the machine located over the site of the
injury. Other preparations are sensation testing, alarm bell to inform clinician of a problem,
equipment should be checked and calibrated, and therapist should always be within a close range
of the patient.

Indications:
 Painful joints due to osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
 Painful joints due to sprains
 Pain in soft tissues
 Loss of ROM in the affected joint

Contraindications:
 Pregnancy  Infection
 Cardiac pacemaker  Metal plates in the tissue
  Fever  Cardiac arrhythmia (Irregular
 Epilepsy heartbeat)
 Deep vein thrombosis  Lack of temperature sensitivity
 Menstruation

Diathermy uses waves to penetrate tissues to produce a deep heat. If the patient is unable to feel
heat, it could result in a burn, and if a patient is hypersensitive to temperature, the treatment
could potentially be unbearable. The waves used could also affect a pacemaker or irregular
heartbeat because of the electronic pulses going through the body.

Precautions:
 Improper set up of a diathermy treatment could cause internal burns, cause further
damage, or cause skin burns
 Toweling should always be used to supply the patient with enough space between
themselves and the machine
 Treatment over bony areas of the body should be done cautiously because it may
cause a burn to the surrounding tissues (Shah & Farrow, 2007, 229-230).
References:
Dondelinger, R.M. (2008). Diathermy units. Biomedical Instrumentation & Technology, 45(4),
286-290.
Gallo, J.A. (2009). Using shortwave diathermy. Advance for Directors in Rehabilitation, 18(3),
42.
Shah, S.G.S., Farrow, A. (2007). Investigation of practices and procedures in the use of
therapeutic diathermy: a study from the physiotherapists’ health and safety perspective.
Physiotherapy Research International, 12(4), 228-241.
Shields, N., Gormley G., & O’Hare N. (2002). Short-wave diathermy: current clinical and safety
practices. Physiotherapy Research International, 7(4), 191-202.