Biophysical Agents
This biophysical agent uses the interference of two 4 kHz alternating currents to achieve deeper pain relief via amplitude modulation.
What is interferential current (IFC)?
What organ(s) dysfunction may refer pain to the left shoulder?
heart, lung, and diaphragm
What is the study of how drugs interact with the body?
Pharmacology
What are the three phases of Tissue healing?
Inflammatory, proliferative/Repair, and remodeling/Maturation phases
What imaging modality is commonly used to evaluate bone fractures?
X-ray
This vascular condition affecting veins is a contraindication for therapeutic electrical stimulation.
What is deep vein thrombosis?
Name one mechanism behind referred visceral pain.
Embryologic development, multi-segmental innervation, or direct pressure/shared pathways.
What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
Pharmacokinetics is what the body does to a drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion); pharmacodynamics is what the drug does to the body.
Name one chemical mediator involved in the inflammatory phase
Prostaglandins, histamine, serotonin, or bradykinins
What type of imaging provides detailed views of soft tissues like ligaments and tendons?
MRI (best), CT scan another option
According to current evidence, this modality has “good evidence” for alleviating pain in knee osteoarthritis.
What is TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)?
How can gallbladder pain be relieved?
By leaning forward.
What is the first-pass effect?
The metabolism of a drug by the liver or gut wall before it reaches systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability
Why do intra-articular ligaments like the ACL require surgical intervention for healing?
Synovial fluid dilutes the fibrin clot, interfering with spontaneous healing.
What imaging method uses sound waves to assess musculoskeletal injuries?
Ultrasound
In iontophoresis, this negatively charged corticosteroid ion is most frequently used for its anti-inflammatory effects.
What is dexamethasone?
What is a characteristic of visceral pain that distinguishes it from musculoskeletal pain?
Constant, intense, unrelieved by rest or position changes.
Gradual, progressive, cyclical
Does not fit the expected mechanical or neuromusculoskeletal pattern
What does the term "therapeutic index" refer to, and why is it important?
The ratio of a drug’s toxic dose to its effective dose; it indicates drug safety
What is the physical stress theory?
Appropriate load maintains tissue health, while too little leads to atrophy and too much causes injury
What is the difference between T1 and T2 imaging in MRI scans?
T1 shows fat as bright and fluid as dark, while T2 shows fluid as bright and fat as dark.
The delivered dose in iontophoresis—calculated as current (mA) × time (min)—is expressed in these units.
What are milliampere-minutes (mA·min)?
What key factors should be considered when evaluating night pain patterns, and how do they help differentiate between musculoskeletal and systemic conditions?
Why might a patient experience side effects when switching from a brand-name drug to a generic drug?
Individual variability in response due to differences in inactive ingredients or bioavailability.
What three factors are necessary to promote effective ligament healing?
Contact between ligament ends, progressive controlled loading, and protection from excessive forces during remodeling.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of CT scans compared to MRI?
Advantages: faster imaging, better for bone detail. Disadvantages: higher radiation exposure, less detail for soft tissues.