Wound Treatment

St.Joseph Hospital Wound Healing Center has an expert team of specially trained physicians and support staff available to address your problem wounds. Their approach to wound care, including Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, is specifically tailored to each individual patient.

Types of Wounds Treated

We treat a variety of types of wounds, including:

• Diabetic wounds of the lower extremity
• Wounds that have not healed in several weeks
• Post-radiation tissue injury
• Diabetes-related foot and ankle ulcers
• Crush injuries
• Venous Stasis or arterial insufficiency ulcers
• Wounds caused by poor circulation or trauma
• Compromised grafts and flaps
• Gangrene
• Pressure Ulcers
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections

Individualized Treatment Plan

We understand the factors that may be delaying or preventing the healing of your wounds. With this in mind, the wound care team performs a complete history and physical exam, which allows them to develop an individualized treatment plan unique to each patient’s needs. You will be thoroughly educated about Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy before beginning treatment and your family will be involved in the treatment process.

Your referring physician will be kept informed of your progress with regular reports and photos of your wounds. Once your therapy is complete your care will be returned to your referring physician for long-term follow-up and monitoring.

Your treatment plan may include:

• Laboratory studies
• X-rays
• Vascular studies
• Surgical debridement to remove infected tissue and bone
• Antibiotic therapy
• Application of specialty dressings or ointments
• Use of crutches, wheelchairs or other off-loading techniques
• Nutritional supplements or counseling
• Physical Therapy
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO)

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

Wounds sometimes will not respond to general wound care treatments alone. For some patients, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO) is an effective technology that supplements the other treatment methods used by physicians. HBO therapy involves daily visits to the Wound Healing Center for three to four weeks with a follow-up session to monitor the healing progress.

During HBO therapy you are placed in a pressurized chamber where you breathe 100 percent oxygen. This increases the presence of oxygen within the wound and aids in healing and growth of new tissue. Hyperbaric oxygen treatments occur while you lie comfortably in the chamber. Generally, you will feel no differently than if you were lying in your own bed. You can listen to music, watch television or nap throughout the therapy.

During certain parts of the treatment, you may experience a sensation of fullness in your ears—similar to when you are flying in an airplane or driving down a mountain—as your eardrums respond to pressure changes. You will be taught several easy methods to avoid ear discomfort before treatment begins.