By forcing more oxygen into the tissue, hyperbaric oxygen therapy encourages the formation of new blood vessels. As new blood vessels develop, the red blood cells start to flow, delivering even more oxygen to the affected area. This creates the optimal environment for the body's natural healing processes to repair damaged tissue.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is effective in treatment of:
- Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities
- Radiation injury, such as osteoradionecrosis (bone) or radionecrosis (soft tissue)
- Infection of the bone
- Compromised skin graft/flap
- Crush injuries
- Necrotizing infections (bacterial infections that destroy the muscle, skin and underlying tissue)
- Gas gangrene
- Arterial insufficiency (condition that stops or slows blood flow to arteries)
- Acute carbon monoxide poisoning