For an acute injury, which ultrasound setting is recommended?

For an acute injury, which ultrasound setting is recommended?

• A. Continuous output to maximize heating
• B. Pulsed output to achieve nonthermal effects
• C. Pulsed output to maximize heating
• D. Continuous output to minimize heating

Answer: (B)

When treating an acute injury, the goal is to stimulate healing with nonthermal mechanical effects rather than pump in heat. Pulsed ultrasound delivers energy in bursts, which lowers the average intensity and keeps tissue temperature from rising. This allows the nonthermal mechanisms—acoustic streaming, microcirculation effects, and enhanced cellular membrane permeability—to promote tissue repair and edema resolution without the risk of thermal damage. Continuous ultrasound, by contrast, continuously deposits energy and raises tissue temperature, which can worsen inflammation or edema in the acute phase. So using pulsed output to achieve nonthermal effects is the best approach.

When treating an acute injury, the goal is to stimulate healing with nonthermal mechanical effects rather than pump in heat. Pulsed ultrasound delivers energy in bursts, which lowers the average intensity and keeps tissue temperature from rising. This allows the nonthermal mechanisms—acoustic streaming, microcirculation effects, and enhanced cellular membrane permeability—to promote tissue repair and edema resolution without the risk of thermal damage. Continuous ultrasound, by contrast, continuously deposits energy and raises tissue temperature, which can worsen inflammation or edema in the acute phase. So using pulsed output to achieve nonthermal effects is the best approach.