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.

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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

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

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).

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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

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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.

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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

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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:

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1. Initial Consultation
2. Comprehensive evaluation by our board-certified hyperbaric physician
3. Review of your cancer treatment history and dental/oral health
4. Coordination with your oral surgeon, dentist, and oncologist
5. HBOT Sessions
6. 90–120 minute treatments, 3–5 times per week
7. Delivered in our Perry monoplace chambers, the largest, most comfortable acrylic chambers available
8. Real-time monitoring by trained staff and physicians
9. Ear pressure assistance and personalized guidance throughout
10. Surgical Coordination
11. Pre- and post-operative HBOT “boosts” surrounding dental extractions or jaw surgery
12. Seamless collaboration with your referring surgeon to support healing
13. Wound Care and Follow-Up
14. 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:

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• 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

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.