How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy accelerate healing?

By delivering nearly 100% oxygen at increased pressure, HBOT intensifies the oxygen gradient in tissues, stimulating angiogenesis, collagen formation, and tissue regeneration—boosting wound healing and infection control.

What conditions can hyperbaric oxygen therapy treat effectively?

It’s FDA/UHMS-approved for 14 conditions including decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, gas gangrene, chronic wounds like diabetic foot ulcers, radiation injuries, thermal burns, and certain infections.

Are there any risks or side effects associated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

Yes. Risks include barotrauma (ear, sinus, lung), temporary myopia, cataract acceleration, and oxygen toxicity. Such effects are typically mild and monitored during sessions.

Who should not undergo hyperbaric oxygen therapy?

It’s contraindicated for untreated pneumothorax; relative cautions include COPD with blebs, active upper respiratory infections, fever, emphysema with CO₂ retention, and recent chest surgery. Pregnancy requires tailored dosing but isn’t an absolute contraindication.

Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy available for home use?

Home ‘mild’ soft-sided chambers exist, but the FDA and AMA caution against unsupervised use. HBOT should ideally occur in accredited clinics under physician oversight.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Osteoradionecrosis in San Antonio

Radiation therapy is a life-saving tool in the fight against head and neck cancers, but its effects can last long after cancer is gone. For some patients, radiation to the jaw leads to a painful and potentially serious condition called osteoradionecrosis (ORN), in which bone tissue dies due to a lack of oxygen and blood flow.

If you or a loved one is experiencing persistent jaw pain, exposed bone, or difficulty eating or speaking after radiation, you are not alone, and there is hope. At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we provide advanced hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) that helps reverse the effects of radiation damage and restore bone health in patients throughout San Antonio.

What Is Osteoradionecrosis (ORN)?

Osteoradionecrosis is a condition where bone, typically the jaw, begins to break down and die due to reduced blood supply after radiation treatment. Radiation may successfully eliminate cancer cells, but it can also damage the small blood vessels within healthy tissues, leading to long-term complications.

Common Signs of ORN Include:

Persistent jaw pain, stiffness, or swelling
Non-healing oral ulcers
Visible exposed bone inside the mouth
Drainage or foul odor from the affected area
Difficulty eating, speaking, or wearing dentures

ORN can occur months or even years after radiation, often following dental surgery or trauma to previously irradiated areas.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Osteoradionecrosis

Why ORN Is Difficult to Treat

Radiated bone becomes hypoxic (low in oxygen), hypocellular (low in living cells), and hypovascular (poorly perfused). These three conditions make healing extremely difficult, even with antibiotics or surgical removal of damaged bone (sequestrectomy).

Traditional treatments often fail because:

Radiation scarring narrows arteries and restricts oxygen delivery
Infection risk increases due to impaired immune response
Tissue regeneration is limited in poorly oxygenated environments

This is where HBOT plays a critical role in tipping the balance back toward healing.

How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Heals Osteoradionecrosis

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy involves breathing 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. While the air we normally breathe contains about 21% oxygen, HBOT sessions increase that to 100%, delivered under 2–3 times the normal atmospheric pressure. This causes oxygen to dissolve into the plasma, reaching areas red blood cells can’t, and delivering 10 to 15 times more oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues.

HBOT Supports ORN Healing by:

Stimulating Angiogenesis: Encourages the formation of new blood vessels in irradiated tissue
Promoting Osteogenesis: Activates bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and supports regeneration
Reducing Vascular Scarring: Improves long-term circulation and oxygen delivery
Enhancing Antibiotic Effectiveness: Increases drug delivery and immune function in hypoxic tissues
Decreasing Pain & Promoting Closure: Helps wounds close faster, reduces discomfort, and may eliminate the need for extensive surgery

HBOT is not just a supportive therapy. It’s clinically proven to improve surgical outcomes and healing in patients with ORN.

Proven Protocols for Real Results

At Hill Country Wound Care, we follow evidence-based HBOT protocols aligned with the Marx regimen, one of the most widely accepted approaches for treating ORN.

What to Expect During Treatment

Your Treatment Journey Includes:

Initial Consultation
- Comprehensive evaluation by our board-certified hyperbaric physician
- Review of your cancer treatment history and dental/oral health
- Coordination with your oral surgeon, dentist, and oncologist
HBOT Sessions
- 90–120 minute treatments, 3–5 times per week
- Delivered in our Perry monoplace chambers, the largest, most comfortable acrylic chambers available
- Real-time monitoring by trained staff and physicians
- Ear pressure assistance and personalized guidance throughout
Surgical Coordination
- Pre- and post-operative HBOT “boosts” surrounding dental extractions or jaw surgery
- Seamless collaboration with your referring surgeon to support healing
Wound Care and Follow-Up
- Regular reassessments to monitor progress and fine-tune your plan

Why Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics?

We offer a patient-first approach to advanced wound healing that prioritizes comfort, convenience, and results:

Three Clinic Locations in San Antonio: North, East, and Southwest, with free parking and easy access
Physician-Led Care: Our hyperbaric team includes board-certified doctors who are on-site and hands-on
Advanced Technology: We use FDA-approved protocols and leading HBOT equipment
Insurance-Friendly Options: Medicare and most private insurance are accepted. Check here for our full list!
Compassionate Support: We guide you through pressure changes, treatment planning, and paperwork

Hill Country Wound Care And Hyperbarics office location in Live Oak, Texas.

Benefits of HBOT for ORN Patients

Healthier jawbone after radiation
Faster healing following extractions or oral surgery
Lower risk of infection and fracture
Reduced pain and better jaw mobility
Preservation of the mucosa and skin
Improved speech, eating, and denture use

Take the Next Step Toward Jaw-Saving Care

Osteoradionecrosis can be painful, frustrating, and disruptive, but it’s also treatable. At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, we’re here to restore your jaw health and quality of life with advanced, evidence-based HBOT treatment in San Antonio.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Osteoradionecrosis

Many patients experience symptom relief within 10–15 sessions, but the full course (30–40 sessions) is essential for durable results.
Yes. HBOT is well-tolerated. You may feel mild ear pressure, which our team helps you manage. Each session is closely monitored.
Often, yes. HBOT enhances the success of other treatments by preparing the tissue to heal more effectively.
Call us or request a consultation online. We’ll review your history and coordinate a personalized care plan that integrates HBOT into your recovery.