Baromedical Associates, LLC

HBOT for Diabetic Wounds

Diabetes is a dreadful disease that impacts more than a patient’s blood sugar or dietary choices. Many diabetics end up with diabetic wounds and related complications. Statistics show that every minute, someone in the world loses a lower limb because of diabetes. More often than not, the problem began as a wound or ulcer that would not heal properly on its own.

Healing Wounds using Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Even the smallest wound or ulcer on the foot can become a severe health issue, especially for diabetics. Together, wounds and diabetes are a dangerous combination.

For a diabetic, there is no such thing as a minor wound. Every wound, no matter how small, can become serious quickly and should be checked out by a wound specialist. Our team of diabetic wound care specialists at our outpatient clinics are experienced in managing and treating diabetic wounds with the latest methods and technology to provide the best possible outcome for each patient.

Many of these conditions may be covered by your insurance.

Necrotizing Infections

The principal treatment for Progressive Necrotizing Infections (Necrotizing Fasciitis) is surgical debridement and systemic antibiotics. HBO therapy is recommended as an adjunct only in those settings where mortality and morbidity are expected to be high despite aggressive standard treatment. Progressive necrotizing fasciitis is a relatively rare infection. It is usually a result of a group A streptococcal infection beginning with severe or extensive cellulitis that spreads to involve the superficial and deep fascia, producing thrombosis of the subcutaneous vessels and gangrene of the underlying tissues. A cutaneous lesion usually serves as a portal of entry for the infection, but sometimes no such lesion is found. It may be confused with Clostridial infection though seldom produces gas in the tissues. The histologic hallmark is extensive inflammation and necrosis of the subcutaneous fat, fascia and muscle. Numerous bacterial types may produce bullous lesions with foul or fermented aroma. HYPERBARIC oxygen may be a beneficial adjunct for a subset of patients with anaerobic gram negative necrotizing fasciitis. The recommended HBO treatment protocol is 90 minutes at 2.5 ATA every 8 hours for the first day in conjunction with surgical debridement of infected and necrotic tissue, and then twice daily for a maximum of 10 treatments.