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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. Description. Exposes the patient (or an extremity) to a: High breathable oxygen environment High air pressure Saturates blood with oxygen. Used For. Wound healing Soft tissue healing* Sprains Strains Contusions Inflammation Delayed onset muscle soreness
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Description • Exposes the patient (or an extremity) to a: • High breathable oxygen environment • High air pressure • Saturates blood with oxygen
Used For • Wound healing • Soft tissue healing* • Sprains • Strains • Contusions • Inflammation • Delayed onset muscle soreness • Following cerebral strokes • Treatment of the Bends * Efficacy as not been substantiated
Theory • High air pressure decreases the size of gas bubbles in the blood • 2 to 3 times that of normal air pressure • High oxygen (100%) intake saturates the blood plasma with oxygen • Net increase in oxygen delivered to healing tissues • Decreases hypoxia • Increases phagocytic and fibroblastic activity
Biophysical Effects Blood Flow • Increased oxygen levels cause vasoconstriction • Net increase in oxygen delivered to the tissues • Maybe especially beneficial to avascular structures: • Achilles’ tendon • Rotator cuff
Biophysical Effects Wound Healing • Improved by: • Oxygen accelerating phagocytosis • Decreasing hypoxia • Antimicrobial effect • Increased ATP levels
Biophysical Effects Tissue Regeneration • Improved wound healing assists tissue regeneration • Increased rate of fibroblast proliferation • Also used for: • Fracture healing • Reducing delayed onset muscle soreness • Lacking clinical evidence
Precautions • Hyperbaric oxygen therapy should only be administered by trained personnel • Too great of pressure may rupture the tympanic membrane • Increased risk with an inner ear infection • Decongestants may help prevent this • Can increase the output of bodily gasses
Contraindications • Pregnancy • Inner ear infection • Tympanic membrane rupture • Upper respiratory infection • Sinus conditions • Lung disease • Asthma • Seizure disorders • Optic neuritis • Pneumothorax • Claustrophobia
Instrumentation Chamber • May hold one or more people Oxygen Administration • Treatments administered at 95 to 100% O2 • Oxygen delivered via an air mask Pressure • Adjusts the chamber temperature from 1 to 3 atmospheres
Instrumentation Topical Administration • Wounds: • Patch is applied over the area • Extremity • Appliance is placed over the extremity • 100% oxygen is used to inflate the device • In some cases the patient will breath 95 to 100% oxygen
Treatment Duration • Using 100% oxygen and 2.5 atmospheres: • 90 to 100 minutes Or • 3 30-minute session • The patient is exposed to normal air and air pressures between sessions
Maintenance After Each Use: • Clean the interior of the chamber • Clean or replace the oxygen mask As Indicated: • A qualified technician should: • Calibrate the pressure gauge • Inspect and repair the unit