When treating a patient diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis using iontophoresis, what type of current should be administered?

When treating a patient diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis using iontophoresis, what type of current should be administered?

• A. Direct
• B. Alternating
• C. Pulsative
• D. Interferential

Answer: (A)

Iontophoresis is a technique that uses electrical current to drive ionized medications through the skin to a targeted area. In the case of lateral epicondylitis, the goal is to deliver anti-inflammatory agents, such as dexamethasone, directly to the affected tissues. The correct approach is to use direct current for this treatment. Direct current facilitates the movement of charged particles, allowing for the effective delivery of the medication into the tissues where it is needed. This type of current is particularly effective because it creates a continuous flow of electrons, which is necessary for iontophoresis to be effective in overcoming the barrier of the skin. Alternating current, pulsative current, and interferential current are not suitable for iontophoresis because they do not create the same unidirectional flow of ions as direct current. While these types of currents may have benefits in other therapeutic applications, such as pain modulation or muscle stimulation, they do not effectively promote the transdermal delivery of medications like direct current does.

Iontophoresis is a technique that uses electrical current to drive ionized medications through the skin to a targeted area. In the case of lateral epicondylitis, the goal is to deliver anti-inflammatory agents, such as dexamethasone, directly to the affected tissues.

The correct approach is to use direct current for this treatment. Direct current facilitates the movement of charged particles, allowing for the effective delivery of the medication into the tissues where it is needed. This type of current is particularly effective because it creates a continuous flow of electrons, which is necessary for iontophoresis to be effective in overcoming the barrier of the skin.

Alternating current, pulsative current, and interferential current are not suitable for iontophoresis because they do not create the same unidirectional flow of ions as direct current. While these types of currents may have benefits in other therapeutic applications, such as pain modulation or muscle stimulation, they do not effectively promote the transdermal delivery of medications like direct current does.