A chronic wound is a disruption in the body’s tissue that is most commonly associated with the loss of skin and the underlying tissue, the loss of muscle, or the loss of bone. When there is a lack of oxygen it makes it difficult for the wound to heal. Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy makes it easier to see what tissues may need to be removed, lessens the chance of infection, promotes growth of new tissue and encourages bone repair.

Wound healing is a complicated process. Many different steps need to take place in order for a complete healing process to occur. Whether the wound is hypoxic or ischemic such as diabetic wounds, venous stasis ulcers, failing grafts or flaps, necrotizing soft tissue infections or refractory osteomyelitis, two basic staples are needed for healing – sufficient oxygen supply and perfusion of oxygen to the affected tissues. Increased oxygen tension is a major controlling factor in killing bacteria, resistance to infection, collagen production, new blood vessel growth, and new skin generation. In wounds with low oxygen levels, some or all of these processes are impaired. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy delivers 15 times more oxygen than breathing normal room air. HBOT helps in the healing process by stimulating the cells which create new blood vessel (capillary) growth. These new vessels are created in the wound area, allowing for nutrient enriched blood to reach the area of the body which requires healing.