BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diathermy is a therapeutic modality that has been used for orthopaedic injuries. However, the usefulness and therapeutic benefits of diathermy are not well understood in comparison with other modalities. Therefore, the purpose of this literature review was to provide a summary of evidence that evaluates the clinical utility of diathermy as an intervention for musculoskeletal pathologies. METHODS: An on-line database search for peer-reviewed, research articles was performed that addressed the use of diathermy and its effects on orthopaedic conditions. Articles were then classified by level of evidence. FINDINGS: Limited positive results (levels I, II, IV) suggested that diathermy may be beneficial for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis, supraspinatus tendinopathy, and chronic low back pain. However, the overall conflicting results does not allow for a generalized recommendation to be made. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although some evidence has been reported to support the use of diathermy, additional large-scale, randomized controlled trials are necessary to fully support or refute the effectiveness of diathermy.

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