Microwave Diathermy (MWD) is a means of producing therapeutic heat in the tissues by the absorption and conversion of electromagnetic radiation in the form of a microwave band of frequencies. The wavelength of the MWD is between infrared radiation (IRR) and shortwave diathermy (SWD). Also known as a diathermy wave. The common therapeutic wavelength-12.25 cm and frequency 2,450 cycles/second.
Physiological Effect of Microwave Diathermy
With microwave diathermy (MWD), deep heat produces once energy is regenerated into heat as it passes through body tissues. Microwave diathermy is Very-high-frequency radiation.
The temperature distribution within the tissues heated by these modalities results from the pattern of relative heating, that is that the quantity of energy regenerates to heat at any location. The medical professional ought to opt for a heating modality like Microwave diathermy that produces the best temperature at the site of the location of concern while not exceeding the temperature tolerance at the affected site.
The temperature rise depends on the properties of the tissue, as well as the specific heat, thermal conductivity, and therefore the length of your time.
Heat Produce -> Increases Diameter of blood vessels -> Increase Blood circulation -> Remove Waste Products -> Increases Nutrients Supply in the affected area -> Relief Pain/Reduce Muscle Spasm.
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Therapeutic Effect of Microwave Diathermy
Therapeutic effects of microwave therapy to the conversion of energy into heat and its distribution throughout the body tissues. It considers this mode of diathermy to be the easiest to use, but the microwaves have relatively poor depth of penetration. It can not use microwave diathermy in high dosage on over wet dressings or near metallic implants in the body because of the local burns. Microwaves and short waves cannot be used on persons with implanted electronic cardiac pacemakers.
- Pain—Traumatic and Rheumatic condition
- Muscle spasm
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Fibrosis
- Delayed healing.
Indication of MWD
We can use microwave diathermy to reduce pain. Clinical investigations of pain relief using microwave therapy are scarce, although the mechanisms of heat-induced pain control are well understood. Vasodilation induced transports nocigenic compounds like bradykinin and histamine from the tissues. Ischaemia resulting from muscle spasm is relieved by the direct and predominantly inhibitory effect of heat. The muscle spindles are active in maintaining spasm pain by thermal activation of the ‘pain gate’ mechanism. Then cutaneous sensory information penetrating the spinal cord through the substantia gelatinosa takes precedence in transmission to the higher centers overactivity in fibers transmitting pain information. Thus, analgesia will induce. A descending pain control mechanism, resolved by endogenous opiate compounds, may generate a lesser contribution to heat-induced analgesia.
- Disorder Of Musculoskeletal System
- Sprain
- Strain
- Capsular lesion
- Degenerative joint disease
- Joint stiffness
- Torticollis
- Chronic Inflammatory Condition
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Tenosynovitis
Contraindication of MWD
People who have implanted metal devices may be at risk for injury if they undergo any diathermy. If you have following any condition, you are not a suitable candidate for using microwave diathermy-
- Anesthetic area
- Malignant tissue
- Severe/excessive edema
- Metallic implant
- Cardiac pacemaker
- Over wet dressing
- Acute inflammation
- Infected open wound
- Impaired thermal sensation
- Unreliable patient
- Recent radiotherapy
- Pregnancy
- Severe cardiac abnormality
- Blood pressure abnormality
- Reproductive organ (near testes)
- Brain
- Tuberculosis
- Bleeding tendency.