The Role of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Diabetic Wound Care
When you’re managing a diabetic foot ulcer, every step matters, literally and figuratively. These wounds are more than skin deep. They affect how you move, how you feel, and how confident you are in your body’s ability to heal. And when traditional treatments just aren’t enough, you might start asking the most important question: What else can help?
That’s where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) comes in. At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we’ve seen firsthand how HBOT changes the game for patients with diabetic wounds.
In this blog, we’ll break down what HBOT is, how it works, and most importantly, why it plays such a crucial role in diabetic wound care.
What is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)?
Let’s start with the basics. HBOT stands for Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. During treatment, you breathe 100% oxygen in a specially designed chamber while the air pressure is increased 2 to 3 times higher than normal.
This isn’t just extra air, it’s pure oxygen delivered under pressure, allowing your lungs to absorb significantly more of it than you could by breathing normally. That oxygen then travels through your bloodstream to reach areas that need it the most, especially tissue damaged by poor circulation.
And in the case of diabetic wounds, that’s often exactly what’s missing.
Why Diabetic Wounds Struggle to Heal
People with diabetes face multiple challenges when it comes to wound healing:
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Poor circulation: Blood flow is often reduced, limiting the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to wounds
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Neuropathy: Nerve damage dulls pain, so wounds can go unnoticed and untreated
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Weakened immune response: The body is slower to fight infection
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High blood sugar: Creates an environment where bacteria thrive and inflammation lingers
All of this adds up to slow healing, and for some, the risk of amputation becomes very real.
How HBOT Helps Heal Diabetic Foot Ulcers
Now let’s talk about what HBOT does for diabetic wounds, and why it’s becoming a standard part of care for many patients.
1. Delivers Oxygen Where the Body Can’t
One of the biggest problems in diabetic ulcers is that oxygen simply can’t reach the wound in the amounts needed to heal, especially when damaged blood vessels make it difficult for red blood cells to reach the site.
With HBOT, you breathe 100% oxygen (compared to the ~20% oxygen in normal air) in a pressurized chamber. This allows the plasma, the liquid portion of your blood, to carry 10 to 15 times more oxygen and nutrients, bypassing those damaged vessels and reaching deep into the wound. More oxygen means faster healing and improved tissue repair.
More oxygen = faster healing.
2. Boosts White Blood Cell Function
Oxygen isn’t just about tissue repair, it also fuels your immune system. HBOT enhances the ability of white blood cells to fight infection, reduce inflammation, and clear bacteria from the wound site.
That means a cleaner wound environment and a stronger immune response.
3. Encourages New Blood Vessel Growth
HBOT stimulates a process called angiogenesis, which helps your body grow new blood vessels. This creates a better long-term environment for healing, not just for the current wound, but for any future risk areas too.
4. Improves Antibiotic Effectiveness
Some antibiotics actually work better in high-oxygen environments. By combining hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with the right medications, your care team can create a more effective treatment plan to combat deep or spreading infections.
5. Reduces Swelling and Promotes Faster Closure
For many patients, one of the most noticeable changes during HBOT is reduced swelling and pain. With inflammation under control, the body can focus its energy on closing the wound.
Who is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For?
At Hill Country Wound Care, we typically recommend HBOT for diabetic wounds that:
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Haven’t improved after 30 days of standard treatment
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Show signs of infection, including bone infection (osteomyelitis)
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Are at risk of leading to partial or full amputation
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Are classified as Wagner Grade 3 or higher (deep ulcers with infection)
Not sure if your wound qualifies? That’s what we’re here for. Our team conducts a comprehensive evaluation to determine if HBOT is the right treatment for your specific situation.
What to Expect During Treatment
Each session lasts about 90 minutes. You’ll lie comfortably inside a clear acrylic chamber, where you can watch TV, nap, or simply relax. It’s a quiet, private experience, and many patients tell us it becomes a peaceful part of their weekly routine.
Most treatment plans include 20 to 40 sessions, depending on the severity of the wound and how your body responds.
To learn more, visit our Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Services page.
What the Research Says
Clinical studies support HBOT’s effectiveness in treating diabetic wounds. A 2017 review published in Diabetes & Metabolism found that HBOT significantly improved healing rates and reduced the risk of amputation in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers.
It’s not experimental. It’s proven, FDA-approved, and trusted by wound care specialists across the country, including our team right here in San Antonio.
The Hill Country Approach
We don’t believe in “band-aid” care. At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we offer physician-led, personalized wound care that considers the full picture, your medical history, your lifestyle, and your long-term goals.
When we integrate HBOT into your treatment plan, it’s because we know it can make a difference, not just in your wound, but in your quality of life.
Learn more about our full approach in the Complete Guide to Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment in San Antonio.
Internal Resources You Can Explore
To learn more about HBOT and how it fits into advanced wound care, explore our core educational content:
These resources will give you a deeper understanding of how oxygen can dramatically improve healing outcomes.
Take the First Step Toward Healing
If your diabetic foot ulcer hasn’t been healing, or if you're feeling overwhelmed by slow progress, it might be time to explore Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.
At Hill Country Wound Care, we use HBOT not as a last resort, but as a powerful ally in healing. It helps diabetic wounds close faster, reduces infection risk, and gives you the support you need to move forward.
Schedule a consultation today to find out if HBOT is right for you. We’ll walk you through every step and help you take the next one, pain-free.