Hyperbaric oxygen therapy heals wounds that other treatments cannot
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy heals wounds that other treatments cannot
Why some wounds fail to heal and how oxygen therapy helps
Non-healing wounds are wounds that fail to progress through the normal stages of healing within the expected timeframe, typically four to six weeks. These chronic wounds remain open and vulnerable to infection, causing ongoing pain and significantly limiting daily life. They can occur anywhere on the body, including feet, legs, chest, mouth, bladder and surgical sites.
Conditions such as diabetes, vascular disease, paralysis, aging, radiation therapy and certain medications impair the body’s ability to heal by reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to wounded tissue. Without adequate oxygen, the body cannot produce the collagen, new blood vessels and immune cells needed to close a wound. HBOT addresses this root cause by dramatically increasing oxygen concentration in wounded tissue, even in areas with severely compromised circulation. Healthcare providers refer patients to hyperbarics for wound healing more than any other condition.
A note about insurance coverage: While many insurance companies cover HBOT for qualifying wounds, we cannot guarantee that your specific plan will cover treatment. Coverage depends on your specific policy and plan terms, the diagnosis code from your referring physician, your insurer’s medical necessity criteria (including whether your wound meets non-healing wound criteria), prior authorization approval, in-network status, and other plan-specific factors. Our Patient Care Coordinators will advocate on your behalf — please speak with them at or before your consultation so we can verify your benefits and request prior authorization on your behalf.
Open wounds that persist beyond normal healing timeframes
Recurring infection, inflammation and tissue breakdown
Chronic pain, reduced mobility and risk of amputation
Inability to return to normal daily activities and work
How pressurized oxygen rebuilds damaged tissue and closes wounds
HBOT activates multiple wound healing mechanisms simultaneously, addressing the oxygen deficiency that prevents chronic wounds from closing.
Reduces pain, swelling and wound inflammation
Regrows healthy tissue, skin and bone
Kills bacteria and supercharges antibiotics
Grows new blood vessels to restore circulation
Mobilizes stem cells for tissue regeneration
Heals wounds faster and prevents amputation
For Providers
Clinical evidence for HBOT in chronic wound healing
HBOT for non-healing wounds is one of the most comprehensively studied and well-established applications in hyperbaric medicine, with Cochrane systematic review support and FDA and Medicare approval.
Kranke et al. — Cochrane systematic review (2012): The Cochrane review of HBOT for chronic wounds analyzed 12 randomized controlled trials and concluded that HBOT significantly reduced the risk of major amputation and improved the likelihood of complete wound healing compared to standard care. The review found that HBOT was most beneficial in wounds with demonstrable tissue hypoxia, confirming transcutaneous oximetry as a valid selection tool. [Kranke P et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;4:CD004123. PMID: 22513920]
Hopf et al. — wound oxygen as predictor of healing (1997): A landmark study published in the Archives of Surgery established that subcutaneous tissue oxygen tension is the single strongest predictor of wound healing outcome — wounds with peri-wound TcPO2 above 40 mmHg healed reliably; those below 40 mmHg did not. HBOT raises peri-wound TcPO2 to over 200 mmHg during treatment, providing the oxygen tensions required for fibroblast activity, collagen synthesis and angiogenesis. This study provided the physiological rationale for TcPO2-guided patient selection in wound HBOT. [Hopf HW et al. Arch Surg. 1997;132(9):997–1004. PMID: 9301620]
Thom — stem cell mobilization in wounds (2009): Research by Stephen Thom demonstrated that HBOT produces an eightfold increase in circulating CD34+ progenitor cells through a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism. These cells home to hypoxic wound tissue and incorporate into new capillary structures, providing lasting vascular improvements that persist after HBOT ends. This stem cell mobilization and angiogenic effect is a primary mechanism by which HBOT creates durable wound healing improvements beyond the treatment period. [Thom SR. J Appl Physiol. 2009;106(3):988–995. PMID: 19008471]
Fife et al. — TcPO2 as a treatment predictor (2007): A large prospective study published in Wound Repair and Regeneration confirmed in a real-world wound care population that peri-wound TcPO2 measured during HBOT predicts healing outcome — patients achieving TcPO2 above 200 mmHg during HBOT showed significantly better healing. This validated TcPO2 monitoring as both a selection tool and a quality measure for HBOT wound care. We use TcPO2 monitoring for all wound patients. [Fife CE et al. Wound Repair Regen. 2007;15(6):847–855. PMID: 18028134]
Anti-infective mechanism: HBOT kills anaerobic bacteria directly by creating tissue oxygen tensions above their survival threshold, reconstitutes neutrophil oxidative killing capacity (which requires molecular oxygen for the myeloperoxidase and NADPH oxidase systems), and potentiates aminoglycoside antibiotics by restoring the electrochemical gradient that drives their transport into bacteria. These combined mechanisms address the chronic infection cycle that prevents hypoxic wounds from progressing through normal healing stages. [Park MK et al. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1991;35(4):762–766. PMID: 1850960]
Your path from non-healing wound to complete recovery
We design a personalized HBOT wound care protocol based on your wound type, underlying conditions and healing goals.
Comprehensive wound assessment and treatment planning
Our medical team evaluates your wound, underlying health conditions and previous treatments to create an individualized HBOT protocol in coordination with your referring physician.
Daily HBOT sessions in our pressurized oxygen chambers
You breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber for approximately 90 minutes per session. Wound care protocols typically involve 20 to 60 sessions depending on severity.
Visible wound closure and tissue regeneration
We monitor wound healing progress throughout treatment. Most patients see visible improvement as new tissue grows, infections resolve and wound edges begin to close.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions patients and families ask most about hyperbaric oxygen therapy for non-healing wounds and chronic wound care.
HBOT delivers oxygen under pressure that dissolves directly into blood plasma, reaching wound tissue that normal circulation cannot supply. This increased oxygen stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, activates stem cells, enhances collagen production, kills anaerobic bacteria and strengthens the immune response. Together, these mechanisms enable the body to close wounds that have resisted all other treatments.
Start healing your wound today
Schedule a free consultation to discuss how hyperbaric oxygen therapy can heal your non-healing wound and help you return to a pain-free, active life.
