Wound Healing
Problem wounds are those that fail to respond to established medical and surgical management in a 4-6 week time frame. Such wounds usually develop in compromised hosts with multiple local and systemic factors contributing to the inhibition of tissue repair. These include diabetic foot ulcers, compromised amputation sites, non-healing traumatic wounds, and vascular insufficiency ulcers (ulcers with poor circulation). All share the common problem of tissue hypoxia (low tissue oxygen level, usually related to impaired circulation).
Promote Wound Healing with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
The elevation in tissue oxygen, which occurs in the hyperbaric chamber, induces significant changes in the wound repair process that promotes wound healing. When hyperbaric treatment used in conjunction with standard wound care, improved results have been demonstrated in the healing of difficult or limb-threatening wounds as compared to routine wound care alone.
Wound Care Treatment with Hyperbaric Oxygen
Our wound care specialists take pride in providing state of the art, innovative, evidence based wound management. Every patient with a wound receives a comprehensive individualized wound care program with the help of a team of dedicated wound care professionals with many years of experience in this field. The specialized aspects of wound care are coordinated with a patient’s primary care or referring physician. When required, physicians from other specialties become involved in the patient’s care. Some of the specialists patients are referred to include vascular surgeons, orthopedic, plastic and general surgeons, podiatrists, orthotists and prosthetists, nutritionists, physical therapists and others.
As we age, the body’s ability to heal ourselves diminishes. Most wounds heal without any help from a physician; however, some wounds just do not heal in a timely manner. Diseases such as diabetes and venous insufficiency of the legs markedly diminishes our abilities to heal wounds in a timely fashion. It is estimated that in the U.S., 1.1 to 1.8 million new wounds occur every year. According to the American Diabetes Association there are over 23 million diabetics (8% of the population) in the country, and many of these diabetics will have a chronic non-healing wound sometime in their lives.
Other types of wounds also benefit from the state of the art wound healing technology. These include wounds from injury, post operative wounds, wounds resulting from cancer treatments, spider bites, infections and many others.
Each chronic wound assumes unique characteristics and requires comprehensive wound care that may include the use of wound vacuum treatment, specialized wound dressings and bio-engineered skin substitutes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may also be required. HBOT allows hyperoxygenation to occur which results in supporting wound healing when implemented as adjunctive to appropriate wound care regimen.
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
Conditions We Treat with HBOT
Acute Peripheral Ischemia | Chronic Refractory Osteomyelitis | Decompression Sickness | Hearing Loss
Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections | Radiation Injury | Skin Grafts & Flaps | Wound Healing
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?
Schedule today or refer a patient to us!
If you or a loved one has a wound that is not healing properly, you should be seen be a specially-trained wound expert as soon as possible, particularly if you are a diabetic or have been told you have Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
Non-healing, open wounds provide an entry point for infections in the soft or boney tissue that can significantly worsen your problem and lead to more serious complications and treatments (including amputation).
Why our practice?
Hyperbaric Physicians of Georgia is the largest privately owned hyperbaric physicians group in the Southeast. Our staff has over 100 years of combined experience in the medical, physical and mechanical effects of hyperbaric oxygen and wound care management. Our physicians have extensive training in wound care and hyperbaric medicine, many with dual certifications. In addition to lecturing to medical schools and residency programs, our physicians stay actively involved on a national level to increase the acceptance of hyperbaric medicine.
Time is of the essence to achieve the best outcome. Have questions?
Use the “Get Started” feature below to get questions answered. Your questions go straight to Dr. David Schwegman, our medical director.
HBOT Locations Near Me
