Ultrasound
Ultrasound (US) refers to mechanical vibrations which are essentially the same as sound waves but of a higher frequency. Such waves are beyond the range of human hearing and can therefore be called ultrasonic. The benefits of US are the production of heating in deep tissues and the short duration of application.
US enhances protein production, collagen synthesis, and fracture healing, and also influences the bone ingrowth response and the scar tissue structure by increasing scar mobility and its tensile strength later in the remodelling stage.
Difference between longwave and shortwave ultrasound Â
Longwave: lower frequency – around 40KHz = 40.000 pulses/sec., less scattering, greater depth of penetration, no cavitation
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Shortwave: higher frequency ranging between 800KHz to 3MHz, greater scattering, less depth of penetration, has the potential to cause unstable cavitation
Your Veterinary Physiotherapist has been trained to understand the exact frequency required for each specific condition
The physiological effects of ultrasound are almost identical to those of Pulsed Shortwave and Laser therapy – the key difference, however, is that ultrasound energy is preferentially absorbed in different tissue to the other modalities
Use of Ultrasound in veterinary physiotherapy:
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Fracture repair
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Tissue healing
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Trigger point
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Osteoarthritis
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Haematoma– after 72 hours from injury
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Chronic wounds
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Tendon and ligaments damage
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Fibrotic myopathy
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Sacroiliac strain
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Muscle tears
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Scar tissue
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Tenosynovitis
Treated conditions:
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Post-operative treatment
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Superficial tissue bruising and heamatomas
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Soft tissue problems: muscle, tendon, fascia, and ligaments
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Mastitis
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Wounds (acute, chronic)
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Gingivitis in cats
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Otitis
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Acute injuries
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Chronic skin problems
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If you would like to learn more about the usefulness of this modality in the early stage of canine rehabilitation, please refer to Stay on Track Modality Options Blog.
