Microwave Diathermy

 It is high frequency radio waves.

 It is derived from a magnetron oscillator that converts
electrical energy into electromagnetic energy and
produces very high frequency electrical currents.
 Magnetron oscillator is tubular.
 There is a negative and a positive pole inside the tube.
 There is the cathode in the center and the anode
around the cathode.
 The electrical field effect is greater than the magnetic
field effect.
Microwave Diathermy
 The frequency is 433.92 Mhz, the wavelength is 69 cm.
The frequency used for therapy is 2400 Mhz, and the
wavelength is 12.24 cm.
 The waves are transmitted from the antenna of the
device to the area to be treated.
 They spread in straight lines.
 It is used for deep heat treatment of tissues with high
water density.
 They are reflected in fat-containing tissues.
 It increases the heat of deep tissues from 41C to 45C.
Microwave Diathermy
 The microwaves are between short wave diathermy
and infrared.
 Waves propagate through the antenna.
 It is reflected on the tissue through the reflector.
 Antenna and reflector form directors.
 High-frequency radiation beams are directed to the
body, spread and some of them reflect
Microwave Diathermy
 Reflection is too much in adipose tissue.
 Penetration depth is between 1-4 cm.
 While the skin warms up the most, it can generate
heat at a maximum of 4 cm as the heat is absorbed
gradually.
 When radiation energy is absorbed, neutral molecules
become electrically charged in the body's fluid field.
 These ions crush each other and release kinetic energy.
Physiological effects
 Microwave energy absorbed by body fluids causes an
increase in temperature by ion movements.
 It causes vasodilation with an increase in temperature.
 The permeability of the cells increases
 It causes hyperemia.
 It increases oxygen and nutrient consumption.
Physiological effects
 Provides sedation
 Reduces pain.
 Increases drug’s activity.
 Removes toxic wastes.
 Increases tendon flexibility.
 Increases metabolic rate.
 Reduces muscle spasm.
 Reduces chronic edema.
Directors
 It is a hard plate antenna that creates a beam around
it.
 It shapes high frequency energy and transmits it to the
target point.
 The intensity of the warming pattern varies according
to the director's shape, body surface and distance to
the director, director size and power output.
Directors
 4 types of directors are used.
 The most commonly used director cone and rectangle
 The "A" and "B" type directors are 10 and 15 cm in
diameter and rounded.
 The warming shapes are circular and the maximum
temperature is max in the the periphery.
Directors
 The width of the "C" type director is 11-11,5 cm, the size
is 12,5 cm;
 The director of "D" is 12.5cm in width and 52.5cm in
height.
 The heating shapes are oval and the maximum
temperature is achieved in the middle of the radiation
field.
Directors
 The energy is given to the
patient by the director
(applicator).
 There is no contact
between the patient and
the instrument.
 The patient does not form
part of the circuit.
 The directors are applied at
different distances to
provide different heating
patterns.
Application
 The tool should be checked.
 The patient should be in a comfortable position
 The patient should have a hot-cold sense test.
 The part to be treated must be dry and naked.
 It should be applied to parallel and in the right angle to the
skin.
 There should not be metal around the tool
 The tool must be grounded.
 Clocks should be kept away from the electrical area.
 The treatment of the patient and how it will be felt should
be explained.
Application
 The directors should be at least 2.5 cm from the skin.
 It is preffered 5 cm for cone, 15 cm for rectangle or
saddle directors.
 A non-metallic table should be used for microwave
diathermy.
 The area to be treated must be dry and completely
bare
 Power efficiency 200 w: Power should be 15-20% for
small areas and 100% for large areas.
Application
 It should be applied for 10-20 minutes.
 The duration increases as the area grows and the
problem becomes chronic
 The treatment is applied every day or every other day.
 The patient should feel warm (like blowing hot air to
the hand)
 The physiotherapist should stay away from the device
during the application.
 If there is redness or excessive sweating on the skin,
the treatment should be stopped.
Side effects
 Cataract
 Cancer
 Miscarriage
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
 Its application is easy.  There are difficulties in
 Dosage can be adjusted practice. For example, joints
exactly and correctly. can only be applied in one
 It is used with maximum
direction.
safety for the patient.  Skin burns occur more
 Provides local deep
quickly.
temperature.  Energy can be lost
Indications
 Musculo-skeletal system diseases
 Fibrocytes
 Myocytes
 Osteoarthritis
 Rheumatoid arthritis
 Bursitis
 Periarthritis
 Tendinitis
 Traumatic conditions such as muscle and joint injuries
sciatalgia
Hazards
 Burn
 Scalding
 Tissue damage
 Organ damage
Contraindications
 Acute inflammatory
conditions
 Acute bleeding or bleeding
tendencies
 Malign tumors
 Pregnancy
 Sensory loss
 Places covered with cast
 Cardiac pacemaker
 Intrauterine device
 Places with metal
 On the epiphyses of the
growing bones
 On genital organs
 On the ischemic fields
 Menstruation
 Radiotherapy
 Joint effusion
 Synovitis
 Infection
 Excessive obesity