Dynatron® 850plus & 550plus
Ultrasound Technical Information
96
Ultrasound Usage Cautions
(For Dynatron 850plus users only. The Dynatron 550plus does not offer the ultrasound
feature.)
Ultrasound, by its very nature, has the ability to irritate the patient’s skin. While the benefits
of ultrasound far outweigh any disadvantages, certain precautions should be observed to
assure maximum safety and comfort for your patients.
A patient’s tendency to have adverse reactions to ultrasound is dependent upon several
factors. Some of these factors are discussed below. In addition to cautions listed below, read
the section in this manual entitled “Contraindications, Warnings, and Precautions.”
Applicator Movement
The rate of speed at which the applicator moves across the skin is very important in
determining how much ultrasonic energy is delivered to an area. If the rate is too slow, the
patient may feel periosteal pain (bone ache/pain). If the rate is too fast, or if the applicator
head becomes uncoupled with the skin, the amount of energy delivered is reduced and the
soundhead can overheat.
Patient Susceptibility
Some patients’ skin is more sensitive to ultrasound output. This can cause a reaction similar
to a heat rash.
Potential for Burns
It is possible for a patient to suffer a burn from ultrasound therapy if the therapy is not
administered properly. Burns can occur for the following reasons:
• Too high intensity (power)
• Too low a frequency
• Holding the soundhead in one place on the patient’s skin
• Moving the soundhead too slowly
• Treating an area where sensory nerve damage is present with a loss of normal skin
sensation
Bony prominences are especially susceptible, as they reflect sound waves and increase
intensity to the periosteum.
Desensitized areas can be overheated or burned without the patient realizing it, so extreme
care must be taken with these patients (e.g. patients having desensitized areas due to diabetes,
neural damage, medication, use of ice packs, etc.)
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