I recently wrote a blog post on the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) and wound healing.   While watching an NFL game this past weekend, I heard the commentators mention that several professional football players have used hyperbaric chambers to heal faster from injury and return to the paying field quicker.

Most recently, Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte used HBOT for a sprained MCL in his right knee.  He also received an injection of platelet rich plasma.

HBOT became popular among NFL athletes in 2004 when then-Eagles receiver Terrell Owen used HBOT for a broken leg.

Tags: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, HBOT, Matt Forte, Terrell Owen, Platelet Rich Plasma, NFL, hyperbaric chamber, football

You may have heard  about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT).  But what it is exactly and how do we use this in our podiatric practice?

During HBOT, a patient breathes 100% Oxygen at 2 to 3 times atmospheric pressure.  This increases the oxygen uptake in the blood.  The oxygenated blood is transported throughout the body to supply ischemic or diseased tissues. 

A patient generally undergoes 30-60 treatments.  Treatments must be on consecutive days (ie. Monday through Friday).

In our practice, we recommend HBOT for patients who are suffering from non-healing wounds, necrotizing soft tissue infections, bone infection and compromised skin grafts and flaps.

Other indications for HBOT include:

• Thermal burns
• Exceptional Anemia
• Decompression sickness & Air embolism
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
• Crush injury/compartment syndrome
• Delayed radiation injury

Contraindications include:

• Untreated Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Pregnancy
• Congenital spherocytosis
• Certain medications: Bleomycin, Cisplatin, Disulfiram, Doxorubicin, Sulfamylon

Drs. Trang, Fassman and Tsombaris are Certified Wound Specialists affiliated with the Elmer Wound Care Center.

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Tags: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, HBOT, wound care, Elmer Wound Care Center, Bone infection, wound