Where are the plate electrodes placed in capacitive field diathermy?

Where are the plate electrodes placed in capacitive field diathermy?

• A. On opposing sides of the body
• B. Wrapped around the limb
• C. Around the trunk only
• D. Under the clothing

Answer: (A)

In capacitive field diathermy, the plate electrodes act as the two plates of a capacitor, with the body tissue between them forming part of the dielectric. The two plates are placed on opposite sides of the body segment to create a uniform electric field across the area being treated, so heating occurs in the tissues between the plates. Wrapping the electrode around a limb or placing them in a way that doesn’t place opposing plates on opposite sides won’t establish the proper capacitive field. The important setup is having the plate electrodes on opposing sides of the body.

In capacitive field diathermy, the plate electrodes act as the two plates of a capacitor, with the body tissue between them forming part of the dielectric. The two plates are placed on opposite sides of the body segment to create a uniform electric field across the area being treated, so heating occurs in the tissues between the plates. Wrapping the electrode around a limb or placing them in a way that doesn’t place opposing plates on opposite sides won’t establish the proper capacitive field. The important setup is having the plate electrodes on opposing sides of the body.