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.

Top 7 Types of Chronic Wounds We Treat in San Antonio

Managing chronic wounds requires specialized care and treatment approaches. At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, our experienced team effectively treats a wide range of chronic wounds. Here, we dive deeper into the seven most common chronic wounds we address at our San Antonio clinics, offering comprehensive insights into symptoms, causes, and advanced treatment options.

Let’s explore the top seven Types of Chronic Wounds We Treat in San Antonio.

1. Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Diabetic foot ulcers typically develop on pressure points on the foot due to neuropathy and reduced blood circulation, which are common in diabetes.

Symptoms:

Open sores or lesions, commonly on the soles or toes
Swelling, redness, warmth, or drainage
Reduced sensation or numbness

Treatment Options:

Cellular Tissue Products: Advanced wound coverings that support healing by mimicking natural skin. These products help stimulate tissue regeneration and are especially useful for stalled or deep ulcers. At Hill Country, we use FDA-approved biologic dressings that promote cell growth, reduce inflammation, and support healthy wound closure.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT): Enhances oxygen supply, promoting faster wound healing and new blood vessel formation.
Specialized wound dressings: Create optimal healing conditions and manage moisture.
Infection management and offloading techniques: Prevent further pressure, reduce infection risks, and accelerate healing.

Diabetic Foot Ulcer Care in San Antonio, Texas.

2. Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers result from poor venous circulation, primarily affecting the lower extremities, particularly the legs and ankles.

Symptoms:

Shallow wounds with irregular edges
Swelling, skin discoloration, and persistent itching
Pain, especially when the legs are lowered

Treatment Options:

Compression Therapy: Improves blood flow and reduces swelling.
Advanced Wound Dressings: Promote moisture balance and healing.
Cellular Tissue Products: Accelerate tissue regeneration and wound closure.

3. Arterial Ulcers

Arterial ulcers occur due to insufficient arterial blood flow, typically associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Symptoms:

Painful, deep wounds with well-defined, sharp edges
Pale or shiny skin around the wound
Reduced or absent pulses near the wound

Treatment Options:

Vascular Interventions: Restore adequate blood supply.
Customized Wound Care Protocols: Tailored treatments addressing specific patient needs.

4. Pressure Ulcers (Bed Sores)

Pressure ulcers are injuries to the skin and underlying tissue resulting from prolonged pressure, commonly in bedridden or wheelchair-bound individuals.

Symptoms:

Areas of discolored or broken skin
Deep, open wounds with significant tissue damage
Persistent pain and inflammation

Treatment Options:

Pressure Relief Techniques: Specialized support surfaces and regular repositioning.
Specialized Dressings and Topical Treatments: Manage infections and promote healing.
Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT): Reduces swelling, stimulates blood flow, and supports tissue regeneration.

5. Surgical Wounds

When surgical wounds do not heal properly, they can become chronic due to infection, poor blood circulation, or underlying medical conditions.

Symptoms:

Persistent swelling, redness, and warmth
Continuous drainage or discharge
Delayed healing beyond typical recovery times

Treatment Options:

Surgical Debridement: Removes unhealthy tissue.
Advanced Biologics: Accelerate natural healing processes.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Significantly enhances wound healing.
Wound Dressings and Collagens: Specialized dressings and collagen-based materials help protect the wound, maintain a balanced moisture environment, and support new tissue growth. Collagen dressings also help stimulate the body’s natural healing response, making them ideal for slow-healing or fragile surgical sites.

6. Radiation Injury Wounds

Radiation treatment, while effective against cancer, can sometimes damage surrounding healthy tissue, impairing wound healing.

Symptoms:

Skin breakdown and open wounds in previously treated areas
Chronic pain and sensitivity
Persistent redness, swelling, and discomfort

Treatment Options:

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Promotes healing by increasing oxygen supply and stimulating the formation of new blood vessels.
Customized Wound Care: Tailored approaches for managing damaged tissues.
Specialized Supportive Dressings: Protect and facilitate the healing of damaged tissues.

7. Infected Wounds

Infections significantly slow healing, turning acute wounds chronic, and can lead to severe complications if untreated.

Symptoms:

Heavy or foul-smelling discharge
Severe swelling, redness, and warmth
Systemic infection symptoms such as fever and chills

Treatment Options:

Targeted Antibiotic Therapy: Addresses specific infections identified via cultures.
Surgical or Mechanical Debridement: Removes infected tissue.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Enhances the immune response and oxygen supply to fight infection.

Specialized Care at Hill Country

Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics utilizes innovative therapies, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, advanced biologics, and comprehensive wound care techniques, designed to accelerate healing and improve quality of life.

Why Choose Hill Country?

Expertise and Experience: Highly-trained clinicians specializing in chronic wound care.
Innovative Treatments: Proven therapies tailored to individual needs.
Patient-Focused Care: Compassionate, personalized care plans that prioritize patient well-being.

Hill Country Wound Care And Hyperbarics location in Bulverde Texas is the top chronic wound care facility in San Antonio.

Is It Time to Seek Advanced Wound Care?

Chronic wounds require more than routine bandages, they need expert care, advanced therapies, and a personalized approach. If you or a loved one is dealing with a diabetic ulcer, pressure sore, surgical wound, or other persistent wound, we’re here to help.

At Hill Country Wound Care & Hyperbarics, our experienced San Antonio-based team offers comprehensive treatment options, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, biologics, and innovative healing techniques, to promote faster, safer recovery.

Let’s work together to get your wound healing on track.

Schedule Your Appointment Today