‘October, 2018’ Archive

Did You know Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can help with bone health and healing?

Non-union/Non healing bones
& the Benefits of HBOT
Bone Healing can be delayed or stopped altogether by extensive trauma, bone loss, infection, ageing, premature mobilization, diabetes and osteonecrosis (a disease caused by reduced blood flow to bones in the joints, leading to bone death and breakdown). To read more.
Young athletes as well as elderly diabetics can have non-union or non-healing fractures. These factors can cause chronic pain and disability for patients. In these circumstances, re-establishing the structural integrity of the bones can be a major challenge for doctors.
Oxygen is an essential material for cell metabolism, and reparative processes. Cell proliferation and collagen synthesis have an especially increased demand for oxygen. Evidence from animal and cell line studies has shown that HBOT, the administration of pure oxygen at pressures greater than 1 ATA, results in increased growth factor production. (1)

HBOT is known to stimulate the production of collagen, a tough, fibrous material that fills the space between broken bones and helps ‘knit’ them back together. Hyperbaric oxygen also promotes fast growth of new capillaries in affected areas, which in turn brings more oxygen and nutrients to the bones.

In particular, additional hyperbaric oxygen increases production of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the cells vital for bone growth, healing and the removal of old, dead bone. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated that osteoblasts and osteoclasts are exquisitely reactive to increased oxygen. In 2007, D. Wu et al conducted an experiment for Connective Tissue Research , investigating in vitro the effects of hyperbaric oxygen on osteoblasts, the cells responsible for synthesizing bone. They observed that HBOT stimulated proliferation of osteoblasts, providing direct cellular evidence that HBOT is effective for fracture healing and bone growth.
Cancer Patients; Did you know that radiation may cause delayed bone death in the areas that were treated?


Deformation of the jaw boned due to radiation
Radiation therapy is a common treatment modality for head and neck cancer. This high-dose radiation therapy although necessary, can induce many side effects. (2)
Surgical interventions in irradiated fields may also result in infections, delayed healing and dehiscence (gaping wounds). One of the most severe complications of radiation therapy is osteoradionecrosis (ORN), bone death caused by radiation therapy which can occur during or after treatment.

ORN is generally defined clinically as the presence of “exposed irradiated bone tissue that fails to heal over a period of 4 months without a residual or recurrent tumor.” (2)

The main problem with radiation injury is hypoxia. In 1983, Robert E Marx DDS presented the 3-H concept, stipulating that progressive fibrosis and obliterative endarteritis lead to a hypovascular, hypocellular and hypoxic environment (hence the name 3-H).(3), (4)

Where there is hypoxia from radiation, early tissue damage occurring a few weeks to a few months and late tissue damage which is more severe and considered irreversible can occur several months to years following irradiation.The “Marx Protocol” has supported many patients with success from ORN.(4)
Why Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is effective is because it reverses Hypoxia to the tissue!

Benefits of HBO2

• • Vascular improvement (5)

• • Expedited healing of ORN

• • Better tolerance to surgical wounding prior to oral surgery

• • Prevention of mandibular necrosis as a result of tooth extraction

• • Freedom from pain

• • Restoration of mandibular function and wearing of dental appliances, if needed

• Maintenance of intact mucosa and skin over all bone (6)

By using the Marx protocols in the treatment of ORN, more than 95 per cent of patients can be successfully cured of their disease with predictable, functional and aesthetically acceptable outcomes. (7)
Australia’s largest study consisting of 276 consecutive patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy for chronic radiation-induced tissue injuries. (read more)

“In April 2018 I was sent to Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery (AHR) due to post-radiation (2012 throat cancer) dental issues specifically 3 teeth needing to be extracted but with great concerns (of non healing ) due to osteoradionecrosis. The Marx Protocol (30 hyperbaric sessions pre-extractions/10 sessions post-extractions) was recommended by both my UCSF dental doctor and my Kaiser maxillofacial doctor. During the day after my 24th hyperbaric session the primary painful molar fell out naturally no problems and complete closure & healing! After the 30th session the 2nd molar was extracted with the same: no problem, closure, healing!! And the 3rd molar seemed to have firmed up/strengthened and my UCSF dental doctor & I agreed “Let’s leave it in & use it (chewing)!” I could not have dreamed up a better outcome — THANK YOU ADVANCED HYPERBARIC RECOVERY!! signed, Randon (SF Inner Richmond District)

(to read more from this patient….)

The treatment of delayed radiation injuries is one of 13 conditions approved by the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Committee of the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) as an indication for hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2). (8)
Because of this proven research, most insurance companies will cover Post Radiation HBOT in a Medical Grade Facility

Hyperbaric Oxygen can help heal Osteomyelitis. Chronic refractory osteomyelitis (CRO), is a persistent or recurrent bone infection lasting longer than six months despite appropriate surgical and medical therapy, such as debridement and intravenous antibiotics.(9)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is associated with remission rates of 81 to 85 percent at two to three years in patients with CRO.
The mechanism of action of hyperbaric oxygen in osteomyelitis is an indirect one of improving local vascularity and potentiating phagocytosis. (10)
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is a painless, outpatient, physician referred, healing therapy. Our exclusive, medical grade, hard chamber technology increases the “oxygen gradient” in damaged, oxygen starved tissues, acting as a “cellular energy catapult.”
A recent patient with a post radiation non-healing wound shares this; “As a result of my stage 4 tongue cancer, radiation treatments and teeth removal, I had a non-healing jaw wound. Prior to additional tooth extraction surgery, my Maxillofacial Surgeon in Oakland referred me to Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery to receive 40 treatments:
30 treatments before tooth extraction surgery then 10 after.
Because I am extremely claustrophobic, this seemed impossible. The entire staff were exceptional, professional and very caring. They made my whole experience comfortable from the first time I was “wheeled into the chamber,” till my final treatment. I never suffered.
My sense of well being and reduction of anxiety was amazing.
I was extremely impressed with the facility. The location was convenient to visit. The facility was clean and comforting and made me feel secure and relaxed.
After treatment 30, I had surgery then returned for 10 more treatments. The skin over my jaw was healing for the first time due to the Hyperbaric treatments.
I absolutely would recommend Advanced Hyperbaric Recovery to my friends.
signed, Vance G., (Novato CA)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for ORN is covered by many of your insurance carriers. Please call yours today to find out!
Our award winning facility is located 10 miles north of the Golden Gate Bridge in the beautiful San Francisco Bay Area.

We charge a fraction of the cost, using the same style chambers as a hospital-based Hyperbaric unit. Our chambers are hard steel with acrylic windows and are pressurized with 100% medical grade oxygen.

We would love for you to come and tour our facility. We will prepare the most recent research for your specific diagnosis whenever available.
If YOU or anyone in your family
or anyone in your community might be a candidate, whose quality of life may be greatly improved for with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Please consider this remarkable medicine today.
Call us today for more information or to schedule a consultation with our Medical Hyperbaric Physician.
415-785-8652

Jacqueline S. Chan, DO
Hyperbaric Physician is Board Certified in Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine and Family Practice