Passive Care- Exam 1- Electrical Stimulation for Tissue Repair

What are the 3 different currents used for tissue repair?

Low intensity direct current (LIDC)

Micro current (MC)

High-voltage pulsed current (HVPC)

What voltage does high volt stimulation use?

>150 V (up to 500)

The high and quick peak of voltage with high volt stimulation allows for?

Deep penetration into tissue

What are the benefits of high volt stimulation?

High voltage means deeper penetration

Twin peaks does not allow small sensory fibers to be stimulated (increased comfort)

How does high volt stimulation not induce pain?

Doesn't stimulate A-delta and C fibers (small sensory fibers)

How does high volt stimulation produce a safe current?

Average current remains low cause of short phase duration

Duration of both peaks in high volt stimulation is typically how long?

100 and 200 microseconds

The stimulus amplitude of microcurrent is in what range?

Microamperage range

What type of treatment does the patient feel nothing with?

Micorcurrent

Why does the patient not feel anything with microcurrent treatment?

Doesn't depolarize anything

What type of current does the microcurrent use?

Monophasic, continuous or pulsed with polarity reversal

The peak amplitude of microcurrent is below?

Rheobase of A-beta afferent fibers

How does skin work as a battery?

Electrical currents flow between injured skin and healthy skin

What is it when polarized cells are attracted to the opposite polarity, enhancing healing?

Galvanotaxis

What cells are attracted to the positive charge?

Neutrophils

Macrophages

The positive side of the electrode is good for what stage of healing?

Inflammation phase

What cells are attracted to the negative charge?

Fibroblasts

Epidermal cells

Keratinocytes

The negative side of the electrode is good for what stage of healing?

Proliferation/repair phase

What cells are used in the inflammatory phase that are attracted to the positive polarity?

Neutrophils

Macrophages

What cells are used in the proliferation phase that are attracted to the negative polarity?

Fibroblasts

What cells are used in the remodeling phase that are attracted to the negative polarity?

Keratinocytes

Epidermal cells

How does HiVolt reduce edema?

Negative polarity repels negatively charged proteins and the water goes with it

HiVolt when used for reducing edema is done in conjunction with?

PRICE

What are some other indications of using HiVolt?

Muscle spasm reduction (Russian still better)

Pain reduction (IFC and TENS preferred)

Frequency of most high voltage units changes from?

1-120 pps

What is used for reducing edema?

Monopolar

The active electrode of monopolar electrode use is placed over what?

The area of complaint

The dispersal pad of monopolar electrode use is placed where? Why?

Proximal to the site

-deeper penetration

Describe the placement of the 2 electrodes during monopolar electrode use

Big one= dispersive= no effect on tissue= proximal to injury= deeper penetration

Small one= treatment= near wound, has effect on tissue

What are the indications of HiVolt and Microcurrent?

Stimulate healing

What are the indications of HiVolt only?

Decrease edema

Decrease spasm (on pelvic floor)

Contraindications of HiVolt and Microcurrent

Anterior to cervical area

Through chest

Through head

Pacemakers and ICD

Abdomen, pelvis, lumbar ares of pregnant women in 1st tri

Metal implants

Epilepsy

Areas of hemorrhage

Cancer

Confused and unreliable patients

Damaged skin

Unknown etiology

Osteomyelitis(traps infection in bone)= new one

Risks of both HiVolt and Microcurrent

Need to disinfect electrodes treating infected wounds

Count use cold coupling media for treating chronic wound

Why shouldn't you use cold coupling media for treating chronic wounds?

Slows down cellular activity

Describe the pH changes with monophasic current

Positive polarity attracts acids (repels bases)

Negative polarity attracts bases (repels acids)