Diabetic Wounds
Diabetic Wounds such as ulcers are the most common diabetes related foot injury that can require lower extremity amputation. Diabetics generally heal slower than most due to reduced blood flow to the infected areas. Diabetic foot ulcers are caused by neuropathic and vascular complication of this disease. Nerve damage that occurs due to diabetes is known as peripheral neuropathy, which in turn can make the patient unaware of the amount of pressure on the foot and leg causing cuts, bruises or any injury to the foot which may result in blisters and/or ulcers. However diabetic ulcers and wounds are a great example of wounds that can be treated with hyperbaric oxygen.
Hyperbaric oxygen is used in conjunction with standard wound care. There are a number of mechanisms for improvement of wound healing such as Hyper oxygenation, Angiogenesis, Decrease edema and Antibacterial effects. In using these methods the outcome has been successful in the healing of difficult or limb threatening wounds. Over the years scientific evidence regarding the support of hyperbaric oxygen for the treatment of diabetic wounds has increased greatly. Research has shown a significant decrease ion amputation rates when using hyperbaric oxygen particularly in patients where surgery is not an option. HBOT can often reverse the damage and effects of poor circulation and help avoid amputation.
