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Shortwave diathermy (SWD) has been a treatment option for many Physical Therapists
when treating patients with knee osteoarthritis. Many individuals could argue that there is no
proof in its effect for treatment. Shortwave diathermy treatment involves the use of a machine
that emits electromagnetic radiation to a large, focused area on the body. Two types of SWD
exist. There is continuous shortwave diathermy (CSWD), and pulsed shortwave diathermy
(PSWD). CSWD is used mainly for its thermal effects on heating deep tissue structures such as
muscle, and PSWD exhibits athermal effects on heating superficial structures. When regarding
knee osteoarthritis, the patient experiences pain, swelling of the joint, limited range of motion,
and difficulty walking. This review will compare the effectiveness of PSWD and CSWD, along
with other treatment modalities such as ultrasound and exercise on the treatment of knee
osteoarthritis.
Against
shortwave diathermy treatment was evaluated for post-menopausal women. There were 113
women aged 50-85 years old with knee osteoarthritis that participated in the study. They were
separated into a randomized control group and treatment group. Each group was instructed to
perform quadriceps exercises along with their given treatment. The exercises consisted of
isometric contractions in full knee extension for 5 seconds and isotonic resistive contractions in
knee flexion for 5 seconds. The shortwave diathermy treatment parameters consisted of 20-
minute sessions, 3 times per week, for a total of 3 weeks. A set of secondary outcome measures
consisted of walking speed, stair ascend and descend time, global assessment, patient
satisfaction, and adverse events. The outcomes were assessed at the beginning and end of each
treatment. Both the physician assessing the treatment and the patients were left unaware of the
group of treatment the patient belonged to, only the physical therapist was aware of the treatment
that was being provided. The outcomes were evaluated using the Western Ontario McMaster
Universities OA (WOMAC) index. The secondary outcomes were also evaluated and measured.
At the end of treatment, statistical analysis showed no differences between the control and
treatment groups for intention to treat. Based on the results obtained from the study, shortwave
diathermy treatment for post-menopausal women with knee osteoarthritis is not superior to
There are many different types of modalities that could be used to treat patients with knee
osteoarthritis in attempt to decrease acute and chronic pain. Three typical deep heating
modalities often used in physical therapy clinics consist of phonophoresis, ultrasound, and short
wave diathermy. A recent study conducted at Harran University Medical School compared these
options. A group of 101 patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into three groups. Each
therapy began with 20 minutes of moist heat along with their specific treatment. The modalities
were applied 5 times per week for 2 weeks. After an overall evaluation, the study showed that all
three deep heating modalities showed improvement, but there were no significant differences. No
Other agents that may be considered to reduce pain due to osteoarthritis include electrical
field, resulting in the movement of ions by the creation of eddy currents and production of heat
in deep tissues. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and interferential currents are forms
of electrical stimulation of afferent sensory fibers that inhibit the transmission of nocioceptive
pain fibers to the brain. The study consisted of 203 patients with knee osteoarthritis randomized
into 6 treatment groups. Treatments were administered 5 times per week for 3 weeks. Exercises
were performed in each group as well as the physical agents. All groups showed significant
Supporting
According to a study performed by Adebowale and colleagues, the parameters set for
knee osteoarthritis (OA) included pain, limited flexibility, and diminished range of motion at the
knee joint. When considering management of osteoarthritis of the knee, the signs and symptoms
mentioned above are the primary focus for treatment, along with addressing deformities.
Thermotherapy is a choice for treatment of the signs and symptoms mentioned. This study
focused on comparing two types of short wave diathermy (SWD): pulsed (PSWD) and
This pretest and posttest study treated 24 patients from the Obafemi Awolowo University
Teaching Hospital Complex (OAUTHC) with knee OA. Each of the patients had a diagnosis of
knee OA for over 3 months via radiologic report. Patients were selected at random through
balloting and segregated blindly into 2 groups of 12, excluding those with metal implants or
pacemakers. Group 1 (mean age 58.77 years old) was treated with CSWD and Group 2 (mean
age 55.00 years old) was treated with PSWD for 20 minute treatments, twice a week for 4 weeks.
A Curaplus 967 SWD machine was used. After treatment, each participant was asked to rate
their pain level on a 10 point semantic scale. Active and passive range of motion was also
measured on a weekly basis before and after treatment. Axillary skin temperature and pulse rate
According to the results, CSWD was more effective than PSWD. Continuous SWD
treatment alleviated pain, along with increasing knee flexion range of motion to a greater extent
than PSWD. Skin temperature was elevated 0.61-0.63 C in participants receiving CSWD
compared to only 0.31-0.35C in those receiving PSWD. The rise in temperature implies
physiologic activity related to SWD treatment. Pulse rate did not differ significantly between the
groups. In conclusion, CSWD is more effective in eliciting the desired therapeutic results in knee
When regarding the effectiveness of short wave diathermy compared to other modalities
and itself, SWD appears to have its benefits for knee osteoarthritis. Continuous SWD is effective
in increasing knee range of motion and reducing pain. It is also successful in raising body
zduran and colleagues including 132 participants with knee osteoarthritis, SWD appeared to
have no decreased effectiveness than that of ultrasound treatment. These studies support the use
of SWD as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis and show the desired therapeutic results.
Conclusion
treatment is performed. Due to the time invested, contraindications, cumbersome equipment, and
cost associated with shortwave diathermy, other modalities may be the preferable treatment
option for patients with knee osteoarthritis. From the results above comparing other modalities to
SWD, there is no greater benefit in treatment of knee OA between modalities. Therefore, the
recommendation is short wave diathermy is not worth the investment for treatment of knee
osteoarthritis.
References
Adebowale AC, Bosede A, Ojoawo AO, Sunday OA, Teslim OA. Comparative effects of pulsed
and continuous short wave diathermy on pain and selected physiological parameters among
subjects with chronic knee osteoarthritis. Technology and Health Care. 2013;21:433-440. doi:
10.3233/THC-130744.
Akyol Y, Durmus D, Alayli G, Tander B. Bek Y. Canturk F. Tastan Sakarya S. Does short-wave
diathermy increase the effectiveness of isokinetic exercise on pain, function, knee muscle
strength, quality of life, and depression in the patients with knee osteoarthritis? A randomized
controlled clinical study. Eur J Phys Rehabil Med (2010); 46: 325-36.