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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Advanced Healing with UOC

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is revolutionizing the way we approach healing and recovery.

Hyperbaric Oxyger Therapy

Written by

Angel Rigueras

Pain Management Specialist

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Written by

Angel Rigueras

Pain Management Specialist

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Table of Content

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When traditional treatments fall short and healing slows, it’s natural to wonder if there’s a solution to speed recovery and improve outcomes. At University Orthopedic Care, we embrace cutting-edge therapies to support our patients’ journeys to better health. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is may be the best option, delivering pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber to help tissues repair, fight infection, and regenerate.

This blog will explain what HBOT is, how it works, the conditions it treats, and what to expect before, during, and after treatment. Discover why UOC’s state-of-the-art hyperbaric facilities make us a trusted provider for this transformative therapy.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Works to Heal Your Body

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a specialized medical treatment designed to enhance the body’s natural healing processes by delivering 100% pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Under normal conditions, the air we breathe contains 21% oxygen. During HBOT, patients breathe oxygen at a concentration five times greater than normal, with the chamber’s pressure elevated to two or three times the standard atmospheric pressure at sea level.

This increase in pressure allows your lungs to absorb a significantly higher amount of oxygen than they can in a typical environment. The oxygen-rich blood is then transported to damaged tissues throughout the body, where it supports cellular repair, reduces inflammation, and accelerates healing. Unlike breathing room air or using supplemental oxygen in a non-pressurized setting, HBOT achieves unique benefits by saturating tissues that might otherwise be starved of oxygen, such as those affected by chronic wounds or infections.

At a physiological level, HBOT supports:

  • Stem Cell Activation: High oxygen levels stimulate the production of stem cells, essential for regenerating damaged tissues and promoting long-term healing.

  • Bacterial Infection Control: Oxygen inhibits the growth of anaerobic bacteria, creating an environment hostile to infections and supporting your immune system’s ability to fight pathogens.

  • Angiogenesis: It enhances the growth of new blood vessels in damaged tissues, improving circulation and oxygen delivery to hard-to-reach areas.

  • Inflammation Reduction: By decreasing tissue swelling, HBOT relieves pain and supports faster recovery.


These mechanisms make HBOT a vital tool in addressing conditions that involve slow healing, chronic inflammation, or compromised blood flow. The therapy is conducted in FDA-regulated chambers, either as single-person units or larger rooms designed to accommodate multiple patients, ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the process.

Conditions Treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was originally developed to treat divers with decompression sickness, commonly known as “the bends.” Over the years, its applications have expanded significantly, and it is now an FDA-approved treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

  1. Diabetic Ulcers and Non-Healing Wounds: Chronic wounds, particularly diabetic ulcers, often occur in areas with poor blood flow. HBOT increases oxygen delivery to hypoxic tissues, jump-starting the healing process and reducing the risk of complications like infections and amputations.

  2. Radiation Injuries: Cancer treatments such as radiation therapy can cause damage to healthy surrounding tissues. HBOT promotes the growth of new blood vessels (angiogenesis) and enhances tissue repair, making it an effective treatment for radiation necrosis.

  3. Severe Anemia: When red blood cells are unable to transport enough oxygen due to conditions like severe anemia, HBOT delivers oxygen directly to tissues, bypassing damaged or insufficient red blood cells and preventing organ damage.

  4. Burns and Skin Grafts: In patients with severe burns or those undergoing skin grafts, HBOT reduces inflammation, improves tissue viability, and enhances the success rate of grafting procedures by ensuring proper oxygenation.

  5. Chronic Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis): For patients with chronic refractory osteomyelitis, HBOT provides oxygen to infected bone tissues, aiding in the body’s ability to fight infections and support healing.

  6. The Bends and Air Embolism: In cases of decompression sickness or air embolisms, HBOT rapidly eliminates harmful air bubbles in the bloodstream, preventing further complications.

  7. Fibromyalgia and Muscle Recovery: HBOT is emerging as a promising therapy for musculoskeletal dysfunctions, including fibromyalgia. By reducing exercise-induced inflammation and muscle damage, it alleviates chronic pain and enhances overall quality of life.

  8. Traumatic Brain Injuries and Stroke: While still under investigation, HBOT shows potential in treating conditions like ischemic stroke and brain injuries by reducing inflammation, protecting neurons, and promoting brain tissue recovery.

  9. Gas Gangrene and Severe Infections: HBOT creates an oxygen-rich environment that inhibits anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium, which causes gas gangrene. This supports the immune system and accelerates recovery.

At UOC, we focus on these and other conditions that align with our orthopedic expertise, ensuring patients receive targeted, effective care.

HBOT in Orthopedic and Chronic Conditions

While HBOT has broad medical applications, its impact on orthopedic care is particularly noteworthy. Here are some examples of how it works:

Fractures

  • Non-Union or Delayed Healing: HBOT accelerates bone regeneration, reduces inflammation, and improves blood supply to fracture sites. Studies show that pairing HBOT with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) enhances recovery in complex cases.

Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head (ONFH)

  • By restoring microcirculation and reducing intraosseous pressure, HBOT alleviates pain and prevents further bone degradation. It also supports bone remodeling by activating osteoblasts (bone-building cells).

Chronic Osteomyelitis

  • Severe bone infections benefit from HBOT’s ability to deliver oxygen to hypoxic tissues. This treatment supports antibiotics in fighting infection and promotes tissue repair, lowering the risk of amputation.

Crush Injuries and Compartment Syndromes

  • Traumatic injuries like crush injuries can lead to tissue death if not treated promptly. HBOT reduces swelling, restores blood flow, and helps prevent complications such as infections or amputations. It is particularly effective in managing necrotizing infections by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and boosting immune response.

What to Expect: The HBOT Journey

Before Therapy

Preparation is key to a safe and effective experience. At UOC, your care team will:

  • Review your medical history, current medications, and overall health.
  • Provide pre-treatment guidelines, including avoiding alcohol and smoking and eating a nutritious meal before your session.
  • Ensure no metal objects or electronic devices are brought into the chamber, as these can pose a fire hazard in an oxygen-rich environment.

During Therapy

HBOT sessions take place in a spacious monoplane or multiple chambers, designed with patient comfort in mind. Here’s what happens:

  • Entering the Chamber: You’ll lie comfortably inside a chamber (or wear a specialized mask in a multiple chamber).
  • Pressurization: As the chamber pressurizes, you may feel a popping sensation in your ears, which can be relieved by yawning or swallowing.
  • Relaxing Activities: Sessions last 1-2 hours, during which you can nap, watch TV, or listen to music. Transparent walls ensure constant monitoring by our technicians.

After Therapy

Post-therapy, the chamber depressurizes gradually to allow your body to adjust. You may feel slightly tired, but most patients resume daily activities immediately. Our team will monitor your vital signs and ensure you’re comfortable before leaving.

Benefits of HBOT

HBOT offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Faster healing for fractures and chronic wounds.

  • Reduced inflammation and pain relief.

  • Enhanced immune function, fighting off infections more effectively.

  • Improved circulation and tissue repair through new blood vessel growth.

  • Holistic recovery when combined with physical therapy or other treatments.


Overall, previous research has indicated the favorable effects of HBOT on the immune system and also on the whole body.

Risks and Precautions

HBOT is safe when administered by trained professionals, but like any medical treatment, it carries potential risks. These include:

  • Ear Pressure or Sinus Discomfort: Often temporary and manageable with ear-clearing techniques.

     

  • Fatigue: Some patients feel sleepy after sessions.

     

  • Rare Complications: Seizures or temporary nearsightedness may occur in prolonged treatments.


At UOC, your safety is paramount. Our team conducts thorough evaluations to ensure you’re a suitable candidate and monitors you closely throughout therapy.

Discover Healing at UOC’s New Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Centers

At UOC, our hyperbaric medicine team consists of experienced physicians, nurses, and technicians who are committed to delivering personalized care. Before beginning hyperbaric oxygen therapy, a physician and technician will meet with you to develop a customized treatment plan and address any questions or concerns.

Each HBOT session generally lasts about an hour and a half, though the exact duration may vary depending on your condition and therapy goals. Most treatment plans include 30 to 40 sessions to achieve the best outcomes. Your schedule will be carefully designed in collaboration with your physician, ensuring that therapy fits seamlessly into your recovery plan.

Whether conducted on an inpatient or outpatient basis, HBOT is most effective when sessions are carried out consistently, often five days per week over an extended period.

Conclusion

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy represents a groundbreaking approach to treating a wide range of medical and orthopedic conditions. By delivering 100% oxygen in a pressurized environment, HBOT accelerates healing, combats infections, and enhances the body’s natural regenerative processes.

Whether it is aiding in the recovery from chronic wounds, supporting musculoskeletal repair, or improving outcomes for patients with radiation injuries, this therapy has proven to be a transformative solution for many.

At University Orthopedic Care, we are excited to offer this advanced treatment as part of our commitment to comprehensive patient care. Our dedicated team of physicians and specialists is here to guide you through every step, ensuring a safe and effective experience tailored to your needs. If you are exploring options to enhance your recovery and improve your quality of life, HBOT may be the answer.

Take the first step toward healing by contacting UOC today at (866) 962-1744 to schedule your consultation. Together, we can unlock the potential of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and help you achieve a healthier, more active future.