WARNING: Viewer discretion- Below there are images showing the wound healing process. These images are graphic.

Treatment plan: Open wound management with bandaging and simultaneous Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) 2-3x/wk, Phovia light therapy once weekly; in total Chief received 13 HBOT’s from 11/16/2023 – 12/28/2023 (6 weeks) and 5 Phovia fluorescent light treatments from 11/24/2023 – 12/28/2023 (6 weeks)

How the hyperbaric chamber treats wounds: 

Hyperbaric oxygen improves tissue perfusion, by increasing the distance that oxygenated blood and plasma can penetrate into the tissues; with an increase is tissue perfusion, the efficacy of certain medications can be potentiated; HBO stimulates collagen production, stimulates angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), as well as promotes the development of both epithelial and granulation tissue; HBO has an anti-inflammatory effect, which helps with resolution of tissue swelling and edema, resulting in improved comfort for the patient; HBO stimulates the immune system, particularly phagocytes which are important cells partially responsible for helping to “clean” wound beds and fighting infection, thus HBO has antimicrobial benefits

Patient’s Outcome: A final recheck appointment on 1/4/2024 resulted in bandage removal, as all that remained was a small dried scab; due to the loss of the central flexor tendons on the underside of the effected foot, the full bottom surface of his toes did not touch the ground normally, rather his toes were pointed upward to a small degree, which placed pressure along the soft surface just above  the metatarsal pad resulting in an ulceration on the skin. 

Chief was evaluated by our Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation Department, and a specialized open orthotic was offered as an option to help position his foot in such a way to take the pressure off of that area, by placing his toes in the proper position for walking; the owner declined the orthotic due to the fact that Chief was too rambunctious and was running already, and difficult to restrict; they feared that the frame of the orthotic may get caught up on something resulting in an injury.

In May 2024, the Hyperbaric Department was updated by the owners with a thank you letter, letting us know that Chief was doing wonderfully, and the ulceration that had developed above the metatarsal pad had resolved over time.

Case study written by:
Vicki Landau, BS, CVT, CHT-V
Certified Veterinary Technician, Lead HBOT Operator