Recovery after surgeries and injuries – can it be made easier and faster?

Surgery, while often necessary for treatment and recovery, can carry certain risks and complications that can slow down the healing process. Infections, poor wound healing, inflammation, and reduced oxygen supply to damaged tissues are just some of the problems that can arise after surgery or serious trauma. Recently, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been increasingly used as a supportive therapy to improve recovery and reduce risks after surgery and injury. This non-invasive treatment method can significantly contribute to tissue regeneration and faster wound healing.

Risks after surgeries and injuries

Every surgery, regardless of its complexity, carries potential risks that can affect the success of your recovery. Among the most common complications are:

1. Infections – After surgical procedures, there is a risk of bacterial infections, which can lead to prolonged wound healing, pain, and the need for additional treatment.
2. Tissue hypoxia – Lack of oxygen in tissues can significantly slow down the regeneration process and make recovery more difficult.
3. Inflammatory reactions – Inflammatory processes can cause swelling, pain, and reduced functionality of the operated or injured area.
4. Poor wound healing – Some people, especially diabetics and elderly patients, may have problems with proper wound closure and healing.
5. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – Patients who are immobile for a long time after surgery are at increased risk of developing blood clots.
6. Postoperative pain – Intense pain after surgery can make mobility difficult and reduce patients’ quality of life.

Given all of the above challenges, it is extremely important to find methods that can help reduce risk and speed up recovery. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is increasingly used in medicine for precisely these reasons.

How HBOT can help with recovery after surgery and injuries

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a therapeutic method in which the patient breathes pure oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber under increased atmospheric pressure. This process allows for the dissolution of a larger amount of oxygen in the blood, which leads to numerous positive effects on the body. Here’s how HBOT can speed up recovery :

1. Improves tissue oxygenation – Increased oxygen in the blood helps supply cells with the energy needed for healing, thereby accelerating the regeneration of damaged tissues.
2. Reduces the risk of infections – High-pressure oxygen has an antibacterial effect and stimulates the immune system, thus reducing the risk of infections after surgery.
3. Relieves inflammation and swelling – HBOT reduces inflammatory processes and edema, thereby contributing to pain reduction and improved mobility.
4. Stimulates the formation of new blood vessels – The therapy stimulates angiogenesis, or the formation of new blood vessels that improve circulation and oxygen supply to damaged areas.
5. Helps wounds heal faster – HBOT stimulates the production of collagen and other key growth factors that are needed for proper wound healing.
6. Reduces Postoperative Pain – Thanks to improved circulation and reduced inflammatory processes, patients often experience significant pain reduction.
7. Reduces the risk of tissue necrosis – In patients with circulatory problems, HBOT can prevent tissue death and thus reduce the need for additional surgeries.

Video: Patient experience after HBOT and this one

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Who is HBOT particularly beneficial for?

HBOT is especially recommended for patients who are susceptible to complications after surgery, including:

• People with diabetes who are at increased risk of poor wound healing.
• Patients who have undergone major surgical procedures, such as plastic, orthopedic, and neurosurgical operations.
• People with chronic wounds or pressure ulcers.
• Athletes and active people who want to speed up recovery after injuries.
• Patients with circulatory problems or anemia.

Finally, we would like to reiterate that post-operative recovery can be a long and challenging process, but the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Reducing the risk of infection, improving tissue oxygenation, reducing inflammation, and faster wound healing are just some of the benefits that HBOT can provide. If you have recently undergone surgery or have a serious injury, consult with your doctor about the possibility of including hyperbaric oxygen therapy in your recovery plan. Your body will thank you!

Below are links to research that supports the effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in accelerating and improving recovery after surgery and injury.

The role of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the treatment of surgical wounds https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10145168/

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound complications after pelvic surgery: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9213110/

Can preventive hyperbaric oxygen therapy optimize surgical outcomes? https://journals.lww.com/ejanaesthesiology/fulltext/2020/08000/can_preventive_hyperbaric_oxygen_therapy_optimise.3.aspx ?

Experience of using a hyperbaric chamber in aesthetic plastic surgery https://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/2024/11000/experience_of_hyperbaric_chamber_usage_in.2.aspx ?

Note: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice or replace consultation with a healthcare professional.