Hyperbaric Chamber Treatment
The air pressure inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is about two and a half times greater than sea level pressure. This high pressure, or hyperbaric, dose of oxygen assists in the healing process, stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, and improves circulation.
When HBO Therapy is Used
HBO can stimulate healing for the following types of wounds:
- Actinomycosis
- Acute peripheral arterial insufficiency
- Acute traumatic peripheral ischemia
- Compromised skin grafts
- Crush injuries
- Diabetic foot ulcers
- Gas gangrene
- Osteomyelitis
- Osteoradionecrosis
- Patient has failed an adequate course of standard wound therapy
- Preparation and preservation of compromised skin grafts or flaps
- Progressive necrotizing infections
- Soft tissue radionecrosis
- Ulcers of the lower extremities
What to Expect from HBO
HBO therapy is an outpatient procedure that is used in conjunction with other treatments and provided once daily, for approximately four to six weeks, depending on each patient’s unique condition. During your treatment, you'll rest comfortably on a bed inside the chamber. Once you are positioned inside the chamber, the pressure will gradually increase and the temperature will temporarily rise. The temperature is maintained at a level comfortable to you. You may experience fullness in your ears as a result of the increased pressure, such as you may have experienced on an airplane. If that occurs, the technician will instruct you on how to clear the pressure. Most treatment sessions last approximately two hours. Schedule an appointment with your SSM Health provider today to learn about this and other options offered by our state-of-the-art wound care centers.
