knowledge about therapeutic ultrasound

1. THERAPEUTIC
ULTRASOUND

2.  INTRODUCTION:
 Ultrasound therapy (UST) is the application of ultra
frequency sound waves (1 – 3MHZ) to tissues in
order to promote healing and reduce pain and
swelling.
 It is classified as deep heating modalities

3.  PRODUCTION OF ULTRASOUND
 The inverse piezoelectric effect is used in
production of ultrasonic sound waves.
 Examples of piezoelectic materials are
quartz,barium titanate and lead zirconate
titanate (PZT).
 Application of high frequency alternating
current to the PZT crystal of the transducer
transforms the electrical energy into
vibratory sound wave.

4.  USES OF ULTRASOUND:
1) Recent injuries and inflammation
2) Scar tissue
3) Chronic indurated edema
4) Pain
5) Dermal ulcers
6) Surgical skin incisions
7) Resorption of calcium deposits

5.  INDICATIONS:
1. Muscle spasm
2. Muscle strain injuries
3. Contractures
4. Tendinopathy
5. Muscle pain secondary to IVDD
6. TMJ pain disorders

6.  CONTRAINDICATIONS:
1) Malignant tumor
2) Pregnancy
3) Cardiac disease
4) Radiotherapy
5) Joint cement
6) Vascular conditions
7) Acute sepsis
8) Eyes
9) Reproductive organs
10) Radiotherapy

7.  ULTRASOUND TREATMENT
PARAMETERS:
1. Intensity : average intensity over a specified area
is given, e.g. watts per square centimeter.
2. Pulsed mark
3. Reflection of ultrasound:
4. Transmission of ultrasound
5. Attenuation of ultrasound: The half value distance
for soft tissue varies for 1 MHz and 3 MHz output
and is 4 and 2 cm respectively.
6. Ultrasonic fields
7. Coupling media: gel
8. Duty Cycle :duration of pulse /pulse period

8.  TECHNIQUES OF APPLICATION:
1. Direct contact Method
2. Water Bath Method
3. Water Bag Method

9.  DOSAGE:
1. For acute case:
Initial stage - Low dose 0.25 to 0.5 Wcm2 Time 2–3
minutes.
It may also possible to select different M :S pulse ratio
and use: 1 : 7 for very acute 1 : 1 for less acute.
2. For chronic case:
Chronic condition may be treated with pulsed or
continuous mode.
Initially low dose is tried. Intensity 0.8 W/cm2, time 4
minutes. • Maximum dose of ultrasound: 2
Watts/cm2 for 8 minutes.

10.  PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS:
THERMAL EFFECTS NON- THERMAL EFFECTS
1. Increase in tissue extensibility 1. Cavitation
2. Increase in blood flow 2. Acoustic microstreaming
3. Modulation of pain 3. In combination may result in
stimulation of fibroblast activity,
increase in protein synthesis,
increase blood flow, tissue
regeneration, bony repair
4. Mild inflammatory response
5. Reduction in joint stiffness
6. Reduction on muscle spasm