CONTRAINDICATION: Do not use shortwave diathermy, microwave diathermy or therapeutic ultrasound diathermy (all now referred to as diathermy) on patients implanted with a neurostimulation system. Energy from diathermy can be transferred through the implanted system and can cause tissue damage at the location of the implanted electrodes, resulting in severe injury or death.
Diathermy is further prohibited because it can also damage the neurostimulation system components resulting in loss of therapy, requiring additional surgery for system explantation and replacement. Injury or damage can occur during diathermy treatment whether the neurostimulation system is turned "on" or "off." Advise your patients to inform all their health care professionals that they should not be exposed to diathermy treatment.
