Treatment for diabetic ulcer on foot
How to know if hyperbaric oxygen therapy can help your diabetic ulcer
- Wesley Hyperbaric
Understand your ulcer and its healing challenges
Start by assessing your wound. Is it healing on schedule? Typically, diabetic foot ulcers show signs of improvement with good care—like proper cleaning, debridement, applying specialised dressings, and pressure offloading—within six weeks*. If your ulcer is not progressing despite consistent efforts, it may signal a deeper problem, such as poor circulation or chronic inflammation. These types of wounds often require advanced interventions, including HBOT.
To learn more about how HBOT works for diabetic foot ulcers, check out our dedicated page on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot wounds and ulcers.
Explore HBOT treatment for diabetic ulcer on foot
If your wound remains unresponsive after six weeks of care, it might benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurised chamber, which allows your blood to carry significantly more oxygen to areas with low supply. This enhanced oxygenation promotes the growth of new blood vessels, fights infection, and accelerates healing.
To understand the science and benefits of HBOT for diabetic ulcers, read our blog on hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic foot ulcers. You will see the different grades, and typically HBOT is reserved for a grade 3 or higher with signs of infection, poor oxygenation, or risk of amputation.
Obtain a referral and get started with HBOT
What to expect during HBOT
Your first HBOT session at Wesley Hyperbaric involves a detailed orientation. You’ll be given 100% cotton clothing to change into, as no metal or synthetic items are allowed inside the chamber. The treatment itself involves sitting or reclining in a multiplace hyperbaric chamber, where you’ll wear a mask or hood to breathe pure oxygen.
During the session, the chamber will be pressurised to mimic the effects of being several meters underwater. You may feel a fullness in your ears—similar to flying in an airplane—but this can be relieved by techniques like yawning or swallowing. The session typically lasts 90 minutes, during which you can relax, read, or simply rest.
Most people notice improvements after 20 sessions, though it varies depending on the severity of the wound, whether infection is present and your overall health.. A complete course may involve 20-40 treatments over four to six weeks.
Is HBOT right for your diabetic ulcer?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be a helpful option for certain non-healing wounds when used alongside standard treatments. It’s important to understand that HBOT is not a standalone solution but an additional therapy that works together with established care like wound cleaning, debridement, offloading, and infection management.
If your diabetic ulcer hasn’t responded to these treatments and your healthcare provider identifies factors such as poor circulation or ongoing inflammation, HBOT could be considered as part of your treatment plan. Individual results vary, and your doctor can guide you on whether this therapy is suitable for your specific condition.
At Wesley Hyperbaric, we collaborate closely with referring doctors to assess eligibility and provide care that aligns with your needs. For more information, speak to your doctor or contact our team for further guidance.