PAMS

Question 1

Superficial heat

Answer 1

Heating pads, heat packs, paraffin wax, fluidotherapy, infrared

USE FOR: pain, spasm, stiffness, increases extensibility, wound healing

NOT ALLOWED FOR: DVT, cancer, circulation issue, pregnancy

CAUTION WITH: growth plate, metal implant

Question 2

Fluidotherapy

Answer 2

Heat via convection

• USED FOR: hands/wrists, arthritis, chronic tendinitis, postoperative, post fx, Raynauds
• AVOID: open wounds (superficial heat precautions)

Question 3

Deep heat

Answer 3

Ultrasound, photophoresis, short wave diathermy

Question 4

Ultrasound

Answer 4

Penetrates muscles/joints, is thermal & nonthermal, conducting gel is used
(continuous mode = thermal, pulsed mode = nonthermal)

• FOR: spasm, pain, healing, collagen extensibility (can be used with metal implant)
• AVOID: DVT, cancer, pregnant, growth plate, pacemaker
• CAUTION: circulation issue

Question 5

Contrast baths

Answer 5

Heat & cold modality: warm to cold water immersion

• USE WITH: dec inflammation/edema/swelling, joint sprain & injury, sore muscles, chronic pain, repetitive strain

AVOID: follow superficial heat & cold precautions

Question 6

Phonophoresis

Answer 6

Use ultrasound to absorb topically-applied medication (hydrocortisone)

• USE TO: decrease inflammation, accelerate tissue repair
• AVOID: follow superficial heat precautions
• CAUTION: allergies

Question 7

Paraffin baths

Answer 7

Superficial heat, wax & mineral oil
- USE FOR: contracture due to RA, burns, scleroderma, chronic hand arthritis, ROM, wound healing, pain

• USE WITH: pregnant, metal implant
• AVOID: open wound, abrasion, skin infection (superficial heat precautions)

Question 8

Superficial cold

Answer 8

Cold packs, ice massage, cold baths, vapocoolant spray, cold gel, controlled cold compression units

• USE FOR: pain, inflammation, edema, spasm, decrease muscle guarding
• first choice in acute stage after trauma
• USE WITH: growth plate, metal implant, pacemaker
• AVOID: DVT, cancer, circulation issue
• CAUTION: pregnant