Iontophoresis in used in injury treatment because of its following characteristics. Cortisone iontophoresis aids in treating inflammations of soft tissues, small joints and ligament capsules; epinephrine / lidocaine / procaine iontophoresis helps treat acute pains; histamine iontophoresis cures inflammation of joints; calcium iont. helps mend difficult bone fractures / breaks.

Iontophoresis used in treatment is based on entering medicine ions, subject to electrolytic dissociation in water (using galvanic electricity), through the skin. Static electricity apparatus is used ine this procedure. Before beginning the procedure, the skin needs to be cleaned thoroughly with rubbing alcohol or ester; keep in mind that the procedure should not be applied if any ointments or medicines are being used, due to risk of skin damage by ion residue of said medicine.

Pure tin electrodes are used for inotophoresis; other metals might penetrate the skin during procedure or interact with solution ions. The electrodes are placed on 1,5 – 2cm gauze pads. A 0,5 cm thick pad impregnated with medicine solution is applied to the skin, located under a medium pad moistened with warm water, which keeps the electrode from direct contact with the skin and protects it from direct impact of reactions taking place on the electrodes during the procedure.

This pad may be used multiple times, provided that it’s thoroughly rinsed and boiled before another application.

Electrodes and pads covered with plastic foil are attached to the skin by an elastic band. The current intensity depends on the electrode size; the usual dosage is from 0,01 to 0,1 mA/cm² electrode size.

The duration of the procedure is dependent on the kind of medicine used, the duration of ailment, patient sensitivity to electricity. It is usually from 15 to 20 minutes, excluding histamine and adrenaline iontophoresis, which takes from 3-5 minutes. Treatments are applied daily or avery second day, according to doctor’s orders, in series of 10 – 20 treatment sessions.

Piotr Szczerba