Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments are considered an American Heart Association (AHA) Class II recommendation for the treatment of chronic, refractory osteomyelitis. HBOT is an extremely effective FDA-approved treatment, with an 81 to 85 percent remission rate. Osteomyelitis is an infection of the bone or marrow caused by bacteria. It is very difficult to treat traditionally due to the fact that antibiotics do not penetrate bone well and there is a scarcity of blood vessels in the bone. However, with the addition of HBOT treatments, certain antibiotics are able to better penetrate into bone, and their effectiveness is enhanced. Additionally, the hyperbaric oxygen treatment increases the oxygen content in infected bone where poor blood supply limits the oxygen levels. The increased oxygen as a result of HBOT treatment can stop the spread of the infection, stimulate the immune system to fight off the infection, as well as help diseased tissue and blood vessels to repair and grow. HBOT also reduces swelling in the bone and surrounding tissue.
