For heating a superficial tendon, which parameter set is correct?

For heating a superficial tendon, which parameter set is correct?

• A. 1 MHz, 1.0 W/cm2, 10 min
• B. 3 MHz, 0.2-0.4 W/cm2, 2 min
• C. 5 MHz, 0.5 W/cm2, 6 min
• D. 3 MHz, 0.8-1 W/cm2, 4-5 min

Answer: (D)

For heating a superficial tendon, you want energy that is absorbed primarily in the near-surface tissues, with enough intensity to raise the temperature to a therapeutic level and for a duration long enough to achieve that effect without overheating deeper structures. A frequency of 3 MHz targets the superficial layers well, since higher frequencies deposit more energy near the surface than lower frequencies. An intensity around 0.8–1.0 W/cm2 provides a sufficient thermal dose to produce meaningful warming in short sessions, and a treatment time of about 4–5 minutes is typically enough to reach the desired temperature rise in superficial tissues. The other options either use a frequency that would heat deeper tissues or an intensity/duration that isn’t sufficient to achieve the thermal effect on a superficial tendon. Therefore, the combination of 3 MHz, 0.8–1 W/cm2, for 4–5 minutes is the best fit for heating a superficial tendon.

For heating a superficial tendon, you want energy that is absorbed primarily in the near-surface tissues, with enough intensity to raise the temperature to a therapeutic level and for a duration long enough to achieve that effect without overheating deeper structures. A frequency of 3 MHz targets the superficial layers well, since higher frequencies deposit more energy near the surface than lower frequencies. An intensity around 0.8–1.0 W/cm2 provides a sufficient thermal dose to produce meaningful warming in short sessions, and a treatment time of about 4–5 minutes is typically enough to reach the desired temperature rise in superficial tissues.

The other options either use a frequency that would heat deeper tissues or an intensity/duration that isn’t sufficient to achieve the thermal effect on a superficial tendon. Therefore, the combination of 3 MHz, 0.8–1 W/cm2, for 4–5 minutes is the best fit for heating a superficial tendon.