Diabetic wounds of the lower extremities

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 37.3 million people of all ages—or 11.3% of the US population suffer from diabetes. This preventable disease is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations. Every 30 seconds a diabetic loses a limb to this disease and 85% of these amputations are due to a diabetes-related foot ulcer (one of the most common complications associated with uncontrollable diabetes). Patients should understand the danger of non-healing wounds and how they can prevent this loss. People with diabetes have poor circulation to their extremities, especially to their feet. This leads to an inability of the body to heal from breaks in skin, cuts, and scrapes. Neuropathy is another condition where diabetics ‪lose sensation to their skin. It is important for diabetic patients to frequently check for skin breaks on arms, hands, legs and feet.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) increases the amount of oxygen carried into the plasma and tissues surrounding the wound, promoting closure of non-healing wounds. Studies have demonstrated the benefits of HBOT for diabetic foot ulcers: