Bone Infection | Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis

Bone Infection (Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis) Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

 

What is Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis?

Infections in bone are hard to treat because there are not a lot of blood vessels in bone. Antibiotics have a hard time penetrating bone. Chronic refractory osteomyelitis (CROM) is a bone infection that has not responded to conventional therapy such as antimicrobials and surgical debridement after a 6-week course of therapy.

These chronic bone infections can occur in pediatric patients as well as adult patients, although they are often associated with other local or systemic problems. Patients who are immunosuppressed or have other co-morbidities such as diabetes, are more likely to develop CROM.

Treating Bone Infections with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

In some instances, where the bone infection has a very high morbidity and mortality such as spine, skull or sternum, osteomyelitis which is not responding to treatment earlier than six weeks may benefit from adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The most common presentation for CROM is in long bones after trauma, and in diabetic foot ulcers (DFU). In the DFU, about 20% of patients that are referred to a wound center will have osteomyelitis. If they do not respond to a course of conventional care, which includes antimicrobial therapy and surgical debridement if possible, then patients should be referred for adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as part of a multi-disciplinary approach.

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The Healing Power of Hyperbaric Medicine

HBOT helps white blood cells kill bacteria, and help osteoclast clean up the dead and infected bone. Once the infection is under control and all the dead bone is gone, new bone is laid down by osteoclasts. These processes require high levels of oxygen to function optimally. HBOT also helps antibiotics work better, and in conjunction with some antibiotics, helps eradicate the biofilms that form in many of these cases.

Increases White Blood Cell Effectiveness

Stimulates Release of Stem Cells

Improves Quality of Life in Patients

Most Conditions Covered by Insurance

Commonly, these patients will receive 40-60 treatments to clear the infection.

How Long Does a Hyperbaric Treatment Take?

Most HBOT treatments generally take about 2 hours. Treatments for some indications can last up to 4 hours. Serious diving injuries can require a treatment for longer than 5 hours. The hyperbaric physician will determine how long each patient’s HBOT treatment will last.

Does Insurance Cover Hyperbaric Treatments?

Yes

Coverage for HBO is dependent on your insurance company’s Coverage Determination Policy.

No

Some indications are still not covered or coverage can vary by insurance provider. Contact us to verify coverage.

Ready to experience the power of hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

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Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis hyperbaric medicine

HBOT Locations Near Me

Marietta, GA

61 Whitcher Street
Suite 2150
Marietta, GA 30060

Cumming, GA

1505 Northside Boulevard, Suite 1300, Cumming, GA 30041

Atlanta, GA

5665 Peachtree Dunwoody Road,
Suite G9,
Atlanta, GA 30342

Fayetteville, NC

3035A Boone Trail Extension,
Fayetteville, NC 28304

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