For acute injuries, should ultrasound be applied in pulsed or continuous mode?

For acute injuries, should ultrasound be applied in pulsed or continuous mode?

• A. Pulsed
• B. Continuous
• C. Either
• D. Not recommended

Answer: (A)

When dealing with acute injuries, the goal is to support healing without adding heat that could worsen inflammation. Pulsed ultrasound delivers energy in bursts with a low duty cycle, which keeps the average intensity low and minimizes thermal buildup. This allows the non-thermal, mechanical effects of ultrasound—like cavitation and microstreaming—to help with cell signaling, edema reduction, and tissue repair without triggering additional inflammation. Continuous ultrasound, by contrast, provides a constant energy source that heats tissues, which can aggravate swelling, pain, and inflammation in the acute phase. So the best choice for acute injuries is pulsed mode, to promote healing while avoiding excessive heating.

When dealing with acute injuries, the goal is to support healing without adding heat that could worsen inflammation. Pulsed ultrasound delivers energy in bursts with a low duty cycle, which keeps the average intensity low and minimizes thermal buildup. This allows the non-thermal, mechanical effects of ultrasound—like cavitation and microstreaming—to help with cell signaling, edema reduction, and tissue repair without triggering additional inflammation. Continuous ultrasound, by contrast, provides a constant energy source that heats tissues, which can aggravate swelling, pain, and inflammation in the acute phase. So the best choice for acute injuries is pulsed mode, to promote healing while avoiding excessive heating.