Non-Healing Wounds
Non-healing wounds are common in patients with diabetes, vascular diseases, and those undergoing radiation therapy. Bedsores, pressure sores, compromised skin grafts and flaps are other common types of non-healing or slow-healing wounds, particularly for elderly patients due to poor circulation and delicate skin. These wounds often suffer from poor oxygen supply and the surrounding tissue is often swollen, so they often take a long time to heal.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a medical treatment that involves breathing nearly pure oxygen through a mask in a pressurised chamber. This high-pressure environment helps increase the amount of oxygen in the blood, and the amount of oxygen in the blood plasma. This extra oxygen promotes faster and more effective healing making it an effective treatment for non-healing wounds. HBOT increases the amount of oxygen being delivered to the wound and surrounding area, which promotes healing and tissue repair.
How HBOT Works for Non-Healing Wounds
1. Increases Oxygen Supply:
HBOT boosts oxygen levels in the blood, as the oxygen under pressure dissolves in the blood plasma. This process improves the body’s delivery of oxygen to areas with poor blood supply, such as a non-healing wound and promotes the body’s natural healing processes.
2. New Blood Vessel Growth:
HBOT stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, which improves blood flow and the delivery of nutrients to the damaged tissue. This helps the growth of new blood vessels where the existing vessels have been damaged.
3. Reduces Inflammation:
HBOT reduces inflammation, which is a common problem in non-healing wounds e.g. the area surrounding the non-healing wound is often swollen and inflamed.
4. Boosts Collagen Production:
HBOT promotes the production of collagen, a protein essential for wound healing. Collagen is the body’s scaffolding, it provides the scaffolding for new tissue growth and helps in the repair and regeneration of damaged tissue.
5. Fights Infection:
HBOT helps the body’s white blood cells to fight off infections. A lot of bacteria cannot survive in a high-oxygen environment. The higher oxygen levels during HBOT help fight infections by reducing the bacteria’s ability to grow or reproduce
Benefits of HBOT for Non-Healing Wounds
Individuals with non-healing wounds can experience several benefits from HBOT:
Reduced Surgery or Amputation Risk:
In severe cases non-healing wounds may lead to debridement surgery or even amputation. HBOT can improve wound healing and reduce the need for these procedures.
Pain Management:
HBOT can help reduce pain associated with non-healing wounds by helping the body to rebuild health tissue and reduce inflammation.Faster Healing Times:
HBOT can speed up the healing process for chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, pressure sores, and radiation-induced injuries.Improved Quality of Life:
Successful HBOT treatment can lead to less pain and better quality of life.Increased Mobility:
By accelerating wound healing, HBOT can help improve mobility for patients with lower extremity wounds.
Clinical Evidence and Practical Considerations
Numerous studies and clinical trials support the effectiveness of HBOT for non-healing wounds.
Diabetic Leg Ulcers:
HBOT significantly improves healing rates and reduces the need for amputations in diabetic leg ulcers.Diabetic Foot Ulcers:
HBOT reduces wound size and is an effective adjunctive treatment for diabetic foot ulcers.Venous Leg Ulcers:
HBOT can reduce the size of venous leg ulcers, promoting faster healing.Radiation Injury:
HBOT is effective in treating wounds caused by radiation (cancer treatment), and can speed up tissue repair and help reduce scar tissue.Bedsores:
HBOT can help reduce the size of bedsores and reduce inflammation.Skin Flaps and Skin grafts:
HBOT can significantly improve the healing of skin flaps and skin grafts. HBOT increases the oxygen levels in the body during the therapy, which helps new skin grow and increases blood flow to the skin flap or skin graft. By promoting better healing, HBOT can improve the chances of a successful skin graft or flap procedure.
Practical Considerations
Client Selection:
HBOT is typically recommended for wounds that do not respond to standard treatments, however, increasingly it is being used earlier in treatment plans. HBOT is a promising additional treatment for non-healing wounds, especially in cases where there is infection or other underlying conditions.Treatment Protocols:
Treatments usually last 80 minutes per session and are conducted daily over several weeks. Every individual is different and we recommend consulting with your medical team. To help determine how many sessions each individual will require, new clients can speak with OxyGeneration staff prior to commencing their Hyperbaric Oxygenation Therapy.Monitoring Progress:
Regular assessments are crucial to track healing progress and adjust the treatment plan as necessary.
Client with with Shin/Tendon Injury:
“I had a horrific injury on my shin. I had damaged nerves and tendons about eight years ago. I never really got any relief. Coming to OxyGeneration was a huge relief. After completing 20 sessions, all scar tissue in my leg was removed and I got full flexibility in my foot. I had three sessions this week for the current pain in my leg and I feel fantastic. I would highly recommend OxyGeneration for any kind of ailments and sports injuries.”
Brian Colleran, Spinal Cord Injury and Non-healing Wound, Ballaghaderreen (40 sessions):
“I suffered a spinal cord injury in 2009 because of a car crash. Since being in a wheelchair I’ve had issues with pressure sores for the past 6 years, which had been treated by standard of care which was dressing changes and spending a lot of time in bed including in the National Rehabilitation Hospital. I researched other methods for healing pressure sores and now use hyperbaric oxygenation combined with injection of PRP (Protein Rich Plasma). Significantly, after 9 weeks using this treatment for pressure sores has got to a place where two years of bed rest and wound dressing had failed to achieve. Hyperbaric oxygenation has also helped with my breathing and keeping my lungs clear.”
Conclusion
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a promising treatment for non-healing wounds. It enhances oxygen delivery, stimulates blood vessel growth, reduces inflammation, and fights infection, significantly improving wound healing outcomes. If you have a non-healing wound, talk to your doctor about whether HBOT could be a suitable treatment.
For further information on the use of HBOT for non-healing wounds, please visit our resources page by clicking the link below.