In addition to treating decompression sickness in deep-water divers, hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also be used to treat a variety of other health problems, such as chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are those that do not heal within 5 to 8 weeks, which can lead to infection, disease, and even loss of a limb.

One such example is Sedalia's Pam Harris, who broke four toes in late 2020. During a visit to Bothwell Wound Healing Center for another injury, nurse Gail Meyer noticed her toe injury and referred her to Evan Stowe, an orthopedic surgeon in Bothwell Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Special, who took x-rays of her feet.

"They were definitely hurt and painful," Harris said. "I was wearing booties and when they healed, air couldn't get in between them, and I ended up with a wound between my little toe and my next toe."

Meyer began treating Harris' toe wound with traditional wound treatments, but without more intervention, she was at risk of losing both toes. At this point, Meyer suggested Harris receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Theresa Acklin, LPN, and a certified hyperbaric technologist at the wound center, helped Harris during her treatment, and said hyperbaric therapy involves breathing pure oxygen in a special space called a hyperbaric chamber. 

"The air pressure inside rises to a level above normal," she said. "The increased air pressure in the cabin helps the lungs collect more oxygen. Providing more oxygen to tissues that need it can help the body heal and fight certain diseases. some infections."

The number of treatments varies depending on the patient's diagnosis, but is usually 30. The patient lies in the cavity for two to two and a half hours to allow oxygen to circulate. "I didn't know anything about oxygen therapy until I got it," Harris said. "It took me a few times to get used to being in a confined space, but they [the staff] wouldn't leave you. We could talk to each other, I can also watch TV."

The team at the trauma center found that some common wounds don't heal properly, but oxygen therapy could be used to treat other problems, Aklin said.

"We most commonly have lower extremity trauma from diabetes, delayed radiation damage and bone infections that don't heal properly," she said. "But we can also treat crush injuries, bacterial infections, carbon monoxide poisoning and many others. Oxygen therapy It also leads to the formation of new blood vessels, a process called angiogenesis, which supports and promotes healing. This therapy has been shown to help you heal better and faster."

Harris credits the Wound Healing Center team for saving her toe from being amputated.

“Theresa was with me during most of my oxygen therapy,” Harris said. “She was brilliant and really knowledgeable. I trust her in everything. I had to do the most treatments but it saved my toes. It really works. "