HBOT vs standard wound care Brisbane

HBOT vs traditional wound care: What’s the difference?
Hyperbaric chamber Brisbane
You may have heard about hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and wondered how it differs from traditional wound care. This article will walk you through the fundamental differences between these two approaches, helping you understand which treatment might be more effective for different types of wounds.

What’s the difference between a wound care clinic and a hyperbaric chamber clinic?

wound care Brisbane

Standard or traditional wound care: what is it?

Traditional wound care uses standardised treatments to help wounds heal, manage pain, and stop infections. It’s usually the first approach doctors take when treating wounds, with steps like cleaning, dressing, and debriding the wound.

  • Cleaning the wound: This step involves using saline solutions to keep the wound clean and remove dead tissue or debris.
  • Dressing the wound: Depending on the wound type, various dressings, such as gauze, films, or hydrogels, are applied to maintain moisture and protect the wound from further injury.
  • Debridement: This involves removing dead or infected tissue to promote healing and is done through methods like surgical tools, water jets, or even specially bred maggots.
  • Compression therapy: For wounds like leg ulcers, compression stockings or bandages are used to improve blood flow and accelerate healing​​.

Standard wound care is often effective for many types of wounds, but it can be slow and sometimes inadequate for chronic, non-healing wounds. These wounds often struggle to heal because of underlying issues like poor blood flow, infection, or diabetes​.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT): a closer look

If traditional wound care doesn’t work, HBOT can be the next step. It’s designed for wounds that are hard to heal, especially those with poor blood flow. It works by delivering 100% oxygen at increased pressure levels inside a hyperbaric chamber, which allows your body to absorb significantly more oxygen than usual. This higher oxygen level speeds up the body’s natural healing processes, making it especially useful for wounds with poor blood supply​​.

Unlike traditional methods that primarily focus on external care, HBOT addresses internal factors contributing to slow healing. Here’s how HBOT works:

  • Increased oxygen delivery: By raising the blood’s oxygen levels, HBOT improves oxygen delivery to the wound site, helping cells regenerate faster.
  • Angiogenesis stimulation: HBOT promotes the growth of new blood vessels, which improves circulation in the affected area, by mobilising stem cells from bone marrow
  • Reduced swelling and infection: The increased oxygen levels help decrease inflammation and improve immune response, making it harder for bacteria to thrive​.
  • Biofilm disruption: Hyperbaric allows oxygen to penetrate the layer that bacteria use to cover themselves and flourish. Biofilms’ are like proactive blankets for bacteria, which increase resistance to antibiotics and natural immune cells

HBOT vs standard wound care Brisbane

How HBOT differs from traditional wound care

wound care Brisbane

Both HBOT and traditional wound care help wounds heal, but they work differently, have varying levels of effectiveness, and are used for different types of wounds.

  1. How it works:
    • Traditional wound care relies on wound cleaning, dressing, and debridement to support natural healing from the outside in.
    • HBOT, on the other hand, heals from the inside out by increasing oxygen levels in the blood, thus reaching the internal tissues more effectively.
  2. Healing speed:
    • Traditional wound care can take weeks or even months to fully heal chronic wounds, depending on factors like circulation, underlying health conditions, and infection control.
    • HBOT often accelerates healing, especially for chronic wounds that are otherwise slow to respond. For example, diabetic foot ulcers, which are particularly stubborn, show significant improvement with HBOT in a shorter time frame​​.
  3. Treatment application:
    • Traditional wound care can be applied at home or in a clinic, making it accessible for most patients.
    • HBOT requires specialised equipment and facilities, like those found at Wesley Hyperbaric in Brisbane, where treatments are supervised by medical professionals​​.
  4. Types of wounds treated:
    • Traditional wound care is commonly used for acute wounds, superficial injuries, and minor infections.
      HBOT is more suitable for complex or chronic wounds, such as diabetic ulcers, hypoxic wounds (caused by poor blood flow), and radiation injuries, where oxygen deprivation is a primary issue​​.

Which wound care treatment is right for you?

Deciding between HBOT and traditional wound care depends on several factors, including the wound type, its severity, and how well it responds to initial treatments. Here are some scenarios where one might be more beneficial than the other:

  • Diabetic foot ulcers: These often require HBOT due to the combination of poor circulation and infection risk. The increased oxygen delivery can prevent amputations and reduce healing time​.
  • Radiation injuries: Wounds resulting from radiation therapy typically have compromised blood vessels, making traditional wound care less effective. HBOT has been shown to stimulate new blood vessel growth and improve healing in these cases​.
  • General chronic wounds: For wounds that do not respond to standard treatment, HBOT offers a potential solution by providing oxygen directly to deprived tissues, making it an effective secondary treatment option​.
“If wounds aren’t treated well, they can cause serious infections or even lead to amputations. That’s why good wound care is so important”
Dr Susannah Sherlock
Medical Director at Wesley Hyperbaric

Brisbane HBOT and standard wound care

Key takeaways

  • Standard wound care is often the starting point for treating wounds and remains effective for minor and acute cases.
  • HBOT offers a more advanced option, especially for chronic or severe wounds that require a boost in oxygen supply to heal.
  • Consult your GP or specialist: They can determine which treatment is best suited for your specific condition. If you’re eligible for HBOT, it could make a significant difference in your recovery.

In the end, both HBOT and traditional wound care play crucial roles in wound management. Understanding their differences can help you make an informed decision about your treatment plan, ensuring the best possible care for your healing journey.

At Wesley Hyperbaric, we offer both options, ensuring you get the best care for your healing journey. If you’re unsure about which treatment is right for you, talk to your GP.