There are various other conditions where hyperbaric oxygen is used, considered at the international level as “indications under investigation”. Hyperbaric Experts worldwide treat patients for such conditions because, although not included in the lists of indications, a big body of medical literature and experience supports positive results. Long personal experience treating various cases (reference centre for HBOT for more than half of the country’s population) has shown clearly that it is a unique powerful regimen for many of these. These conditions include:
• Diabetic foot (included in Enhancement of Healing in Selected Problem Wounds) – contributes to wound healing, treatment of possible underlying osteomyelitis and avoidance of amputation
• Avascular necrosis (AVN) or aseptic necrosis of the femoral head – avoidance of arthroplasty, resolution of lesions in most cases of stage I & II of AVN
• Nonunion and delayed union of fractures
• Sickle cell crisis and other hypoxic complications of sickle cell disease (lower extremities ulcers)
• Sport injuries – rehabilitation and quick return to action and work
• Transverse myelitis
• Neurologic conditions resulting from inflammation and local hypoxia – includes Bell’s palsy and other mononeuropathies
• Vascular pathology – Buerger’s disease, Raynaud’s syndrome
• In general, conditions where ischemia impedes normal body healing processes leading to insufficient wound healing (including systemic conditions like scleroderma, treatment for rheumatic diseases, thalasaemia etc), bone formation (cortisol, area of fracture, systemic conditions etc)
• Burns – faster oedema absorption, better skin restoration and reduced scar formation. Of special interest when cosmetic result is desirable (e.g. face)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease and complications, and Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis
• Pyoderma Gangrenosum
• Brown recluse spider bites