diathermy /dī″əthur′mē/ [Gk, dia + therme, heat] , 1. the production of heat in body tissues for therapeutic purposes by high-frequency currents that are insufficiently intense to destroy tissues or to impair their vitality. Diathermy is used in treating chronic arthritis, bursitis, fractures, and other musculoskeletal conditions. 2. (in surgery) the use of extreme heat to destroy tissues, e.g., warts, or to cauterize a vessel to stop bleeding.
