Injuries

Soft Tissue Radionecrosis* is a complication of cancer radiation therapy, especially external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Necrosis means the death of cells in bones, organs, and soft tissues. Side effects of radiation therapy may not present a health problem for months or even years after treatment.
To irradiate a cancer tumor physicians and technicians always risk damaging nearby soft tissue and bone. Delayed radiation injuries most often stem from scarring and restricted blood flow near the tumor treatment site. The linings of blood vessels and the gastrointestinal tract are especially vulnerable to radiation damage. Radionecrosis may also be caused by radiation overdose or by misdirected beams of radiation, whether resulting from human error or from device malfunction.
Hyperbaric oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is widely accepted as an effective treatment for delayed radiation injuries. HBOT works by improving blood circulation, supplying more oxygen to damaged tissue, reducing scarring, and increasing stem cell activity. Common treatment sites include the jaw, neck, and pelvis.
Important: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used to treat delayed radiation injuries, not for acute radiation injuries, acute radiation syndrome (ARS), or radiation poisoning. *Refernce; HyperbaricLink
OsteoRadioNecrosisOsteoradionecrosis (ORN) is bone that has died as a complication of radiation therapy. It occurs because radiation inevitably destroys normal cells and blood vessels, as well as tumor cells. Damage to the small arteries reduces circulation to the area, depriving it of oxygen and other necessary nutrients. This process is gradual and may take many months or years to appear.
If you require surgery to the affected area, the wound may not heal. Oxygen delivered at hyperbaric pressures has been shown to produce new blood vessels in the irradiated area and stimulate wound healing. This results in a long-term improvement in the quality of the tissue.
Hyperbaric oxygen is given to radiation patients to prevent osteoradionecrosis (ORN) following dental extraction: Studies show that the chance of getting ORN is reduced from 28 percent to 5 percent with hyperbaric oxygen treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen is also given to repair damage from established osteoradionecrosis: Improvement is documented in 83 percent of cases treated with hyperbaric oxygen.
If you had radiation to the head and neck region, you may be experiencing a reduction in saliva. This may affect your speech and swallowing. Some hyperbaric patients have found that salivation has improved during their course of treatment.
Hyperbaric oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is widely accepted as an effective treatment for delayed radiation injuries.
HBOT benefits include the following:

• Increasing oxygen promotes tiny new blood vessels to grow inside and around the radiation site. As you grow more blood vessels, more oxygen rich blood can reach the affected area.
• Decreasing swelling (edema) around the radiation site. Decreasing the swelling allows the blood to flow more freely to the area, bringing with it oxygen.
• High oxygen levels increase the ability of the ‘infection fighting’ cells (white blood cells) to kill bacteria.

​The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body.
Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) is due to a traumatic injury that can either result in a bruise (also called a contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear (called a transection) in the spinal cord. SCI is more common in men and young adults. There are about 12,000 new cases of SCI each year. In the U.S., there are over 250,000 people living with a spinal cord injury.
SCI results in a decreased or absence of movement, sensation, and body organ function below the level of the injury. The most common sites of injury are the cervical and thoracic areas. SCI is a common cause of permanent disability and death in children and adults.
Clinical studies have shown that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) improves motor function in patients with spinal cord injury.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may help athletes at all skill levels heal more quickly and get back to their favorite pursuit. Many sports injuries involve strains and sprains, which naturally cause swelling and edema (accumulation of excess fluid in connective tissue). These natural reactions to injury compress blood vessels and restrict the vital flow of oxygen-carrying plasma and red blood cells to the injury site. Cells and tissues surrounding the injury site become starved for oxygen, which impedes healing. In extreme cases, cell and tissue death can occur.
HBOT may promote faster healing in common sports injuries such as:

• High Ankle Sprains
• Fractures
• Pulled Muscles
• Achilles Tendinitis

HBOT is being studied in the treatment of concussion and post-concussion syndrome with promising results. Concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury, is a common sports injury. In concussion, the brain tissue is bruised when it impacts the inflexible skull due to a blow or jolt to the head causing an inflammatory response and swelling of the tissue as the brain responds to injury. The rationale for the use HBOT is based on its ability to dramatically increase, by 2-3 times, the delivery of oxygen to injured brain tissues to promote healing, and reduce swelling, inflammation and increased pressure in the brain.