Diabetic Lower Extremity Wounds

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Introduction

Diabetes is a disease frequently associated with vascular disturbances leading to chronic ulceration, infection of non-healing wounds, skin grafts and flaps.  A review of the most recent medical literature demonstrates that diabetic patients utilizing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy have a two time elevation of circulating stem cells.  The modality stimulates vasculogenic stem cells that are recruited for skin wound healing.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy also leads to the production of angiogenesis or new blood vessels for delivery of oxygen to injured tissues.  Inflammatory gene expression
in endothelial skin cells is further egulated by Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Systematic reviews and randomized controlled testing support the use of the therapy for
refractory diabetic wound healing, compromised skin grafts and radiation injuries.  It has a positive effect on wounds in diabetic foot and infection by oxygen consuming bacteria associated with decreasing amputation of affected limbs.  Other reviews since 2009 report that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is associated with remission of approximately 85% of cases involving lower limb osteomyelitis, or severe infection of the bone.

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Research & Studies

• HBOT in the Management of Chronic Diabetic Foot Ulcers

• Adjunct Methods of the Standard Diabetic Foot Ulceration Therapy

• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Diabetes and Chronic Foot Ulcer

• Benefits of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Atherosclerosis and Glycaemic Control in Patients with Diabetic Foot

• Effect of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on Nerve Regeneration in Early Diabetes