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| Typical Number in Hospital: 4 | Cost Bands: 4 | References: 3,10 |
Internal heating (diathermy) can be caused by including a part of the body in a strong electromagnetic field of short wavelength. In the physiotherapy department short-wave generators are used to heat parts of the body which are injured, stiff, painful, or inflamed. The affected part (e.g. knee or shoulder) is placed between two insulated metal plates to which the short-wave oscillator is connected. Heating occurs because of dielectric losses in the body tissues and fluids. A common frequency is 27 MHz.
The electromagnetic field may also be applied using an insulated wire wound around the area being treated, or wound into a flat or spiral coil (a 'pancake coil') which is placed close to the skin. There are various treatment regimes involving continuous, pulsed and pulsing waveforms.
Content and Design Copyright 2000 Dr. Malcolm C Brown. See Title Page for more details