Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Wounds

Key Takeaways

1. HBOT delivers oxygen under pressure to improve circulation and boost the healing of chronic and complex wounds.
2. Patients with diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, or chronically infected wounds benefit most from HBOT.
3. The process involves pure oxygen delivery in a pressurized chamber, typically over 20–40 sessions.
4. Clinical evidence shows strong results, with 83% of patients reporting improved wound healing and reduced pain.
5. Although HBOT is generally safe, mild risks like ear pressure and fatigue may occur, so it’s important to consult trained professionals.

What Is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves exposing a patient to pure oxygen in a sealed hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The environment significantly enhances oxygen delivery to the bloodstream and tissues by increasing air pressure to two to three times greater than normal atmospheric levels. This unique setup allows oxygen to dissolve into the plasma more effectively, reaching areas that are typically starved of oxygen due to poor circulation or other conditions. HBOT has proven to help patients suffering from hearing loss, concussions, tissue repair, and skin problems.

Within this environment, HBOT boosts oxygen concentration far beyond what the body would normally achieve under regular conditions, leading to remarkable outcomes in tissue repair and infection control. It’s an approach backed extensively by clinical research and frequently recommended for a wide range of complex or poorly healing wounds ¹.

How Does HBOT Work?

Here's the science: when oxygen is delivered at high pressure during an HBOT session, it promotes angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation), reduces swelling and inflammation, minimizes bacterial growth, and increases the body's natural infection-fighting capabilities. The following processes occur during HBOT:

1. Increased Oxygen Concentration: The concentration of oxygen in the blood increases significantly, helping oxygen reach tissues with poor blood supply.
2. Stimulation of Healing: Enhanced oxygen levels promote the production of collagen and the repair of damaged blood vessels, accelerating the recovery process.
3. Reduction in Inflammation: HBOT decreases localized swelling, which allows important immune cells and nutrients to reach the wound ¹.

Types of Hyperbaric Chambers

There are two main types of chambers used for HBOT:

• Monoplace Chamber: Designed for one patient at a time, a monoplace chamber seals the individual in a clear tube filled with 100% oxygen.
• Multiplace Chamber: Accommodates multiple patients who breathe oxygen through masks or hoods, typically monitored by healthcare staff inside or outside the chamber ¹².

Both types of chambers create an environment where oxygen levels can increase under heightened air pressure, allowing for deep tissue healing.

Applications of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

HBOT is particularly effective in treating certain types of wounds. Here are some of its most common applications:

1. Diabetic Wounds

One of the leading causes of amputations worldwide is untreated diabetic foot ulcers caused by poor circulation. HBOT increases oxygen supply to hypoxic (oxygen-starved) tissues, significantly improving the chances of healing in diabetic patients. Studies indicate that patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers experience faster wound healing after hyperbaric oxygen therapy compared to standard wound care treatments ¹.

2. Chronic Wounds

For injuries that fail to heal over weeks or months—referred to as chronic wounds—HBOT delivers much-needed oxygen to aid in tissue regeneration. These wounds may include pressure ulcers, venous stasis ulcers, or surgical wounds resistant to healing ³.

3. Radiation-Induced Wounds

Patients who have received radiation therapy are prone to developing delayed tissue injury, such as osteoradionecrosis or soft tissue necrosis. HBOT helps by reversing chronic tissue damage caused by radiation, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life for many cancer survivors ¹³.

4. Skin Grafts and Surgical Procedures

HBOT improves graft survival rates in patients who undergo skin transplantation or reconstructive surgery. It increases blood flow to the grafted area, reducing the risk of necrosis and infection.

5. Infections and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treats severe infections, such as necrotizing fasciitis or diabetic gangrene, by containing bacterial growth. It is also a primary treatment method for carbon monoxide poisoning, rapidly clearing the harmful gas from the bloodstream ¹.

How HBOT Enhances Wound Healing

The wound healing process depends heavily on oxygen availability. While healthy tissues naturally receive sufficient oxygen, conditions like diabetes, trauma, or infections reduce localized oxygen levels, stalling recovery.

With HBOT:

• Wounds are saturated with oxygen, even in hypoxic or ischemic conditions.
• Cellular metabolism improves, as oxygen enhances immune cell functionality to fight infections.
• Pain reduction occurs, especially in chronic conditions like vasculitis and calciphylaxis, which are notoriously difficult to manage ¹.

According to the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, research increasingly supports HBOT for adjunctive wound treatments, especially in non-healing wounds ¹.

What Happens in an HBOT Session?

Preparation

During the pre-treatment consultation, your doctor evaluates the extent of your wound and determines how well your injury could respond to HBOT.

Inside the Chamber

• You’ll sit or lie in a hyperbaric oxygen therapy chamber, and the pressure will rise to 2–3 times the normal air pressure.
• You’ll breathe 100% pure oxygen for 60–90 minutes, enabling oxygen-rich blood to flow deep into your tissues.

After the Treatment

HBOT is generally well-tolerated. Some patients, however, report feeling mild ear pressure, much like the sensation during a flight.

Clinical Results and Effectiveness

Medical studies show HBOT significantly improves wound outcomes:

• 83% of patients experience local wound improvement after a complete hyperbaric oxygen therapy session ¹.
• Strong opioid use for pain management drops significantly—from 72% to just 11%—after HBOT ¹.
• Wound healing improvements are typically seen within 3.9 months for chronic ulcers with long treatment histories ¹.

The therapy has earned its reputation as a strong wound healing solution, particularly for patients with multiple underlying conditions that complicate recovery.

Safety, Side Effects, and Risks

While HBOT is widely considered safe, here are the side effects you should be aware of:

• Mild ear and sinus pressure.
• Temporary fatigue.
• In rare cases, overexposure may cause oxygen poisoning, which can damage the lungs or central nervous system ³.

To ensure safety, the therapy must be conducted at authorized facilities, overseen by trained professionals certified by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

A Promising Future for HBOT in Wound Care

Advancements in research continue to highlight the importance of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in diabetic wounds and other chronic or complex conditions. By delivering oxygen inside tissues at levels unattainable under normal conditions, HBOT has redefined wound healing standards.

Whether you’re managing a chronic diabetic foot condition or seeking relief from long-term radiation injuries, oxygen therapy for wound healing could be the answer. Always speak with your physician to determine if this therapy can help you.

FAQs About Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Wounds

1. How many sessions will I need?

The number of HBOT sessions depends on the extent of your wound. Chronic wounds may require 20–40 sessions to see noticeable improvement.

2. Can anyone undergo HBOT?

Patients with untreated lung injuries (like pneumothorax), certain types of heart disease, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may not qualify. Speak to your physician for a detailed evaluation.

3. Is HBOT covered by insurance?

Many insurers cover HBOT for approved conditions like diabetic wounds and radiation injuries. Check with your provider for eligibility details.

4. Can HBOT be used for infections?

Yes, HBOT is particularly effective at treating severe infections, as it slows bacterial growth and boosts immune response in oxygen-starved tissues.

5. Is HBOT painful?

Not at all. Most patients find the experience relaxing, though they may feel slight ear discomfort due to changing atmospheric pressure.