How Hyperbarics Helped Heal Knee Replacement
Deena is an active, 66-year-old physical therapist with a dance background. For over 35 years, she dealt with chronic knee pain after a martial art dance injury in her mid-20s. Years of physical therapy, an active lifestyle, and two knee surgeries gave her only partial relief. In January 2019, Deena had a full surgical knee replacement. We treated her at our clinic both before and after the surgery, and she healed so well, her doctor called her “the poster child for knee replacement recovery.”
After scheduling her surgery, Deena got in touch with our founder Alex. As a physical therapist, Deena was familiar with the proven benefits of hyperbarics for healing post-operative wounds, and says: “I wanted to optimize the healing of my incision and minimize swelling. And I especially wanted to accelerate the acute healing time.” We treated Deena in our clinic within five days of her surgery, and continued until she was out of the acute healing phase.
So what exactly is hyperbaric oxygen therapy, also known as HBOT? HBOT involves breathing 100% infused oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. This enables oxygen to reach every part of the body, where it both repairs damaged cells and encourages new cellular growth (1). At the same time, HBOT promotes circulation and stem cell growth, which reduces inflammation, and supports the immune system (1). For decades, HBOT has proven effective for treating a multitude of medical conditions, including diabetic ulcers, bone infections, and radiation injury (2). Studies have also shown promising results in treating CRPS, wound healing, and healing sports injuries.
Deena’s doctor told her that the acute healing phase after a knee replacement usually lasts 6-8 weeks. With the benefit of HBOT, her acute phase was reduced to just four weeks. She was thrilled with this shortened healing, and she wants other post-op patients to know why it’s so important: “It's very encouraging to have that initial acute phase be as efficient as possible. It keeps you away from the prescription painkillers, it keeps you from getting depressed, it decreases the pain and swelling.” Reducing her healing time kept Deena motivated to keep going, optimistic about her future mobility, and let her resume normal activities faster.
Deena is lucky enough to own a hot tub, which she uses regularly to ease joint pain. Of course, she could not use the hot tub until her surgical wound was completely closed. As is common with HBOT, her incision healed in half the normal time—just four weeks—enabling her to get in the hot tub up to a month faster than anticipated. Studies like this 2013 one from The Journal of Physical Therapy Science found that hot tubs can significantly decrease joint pain and stiffness. Deena’s hot tub is a crucial part of how she manages her knee pain and stiffness, so she was thrilled to get back in so quickly.
We also saw Deena for five sessions before her knee replacement. This was so we could get her body prepared for the physical trauma of surgery. Using HBOT before surgery hyper-oxygenates the tissue, allowing your body to more readily endure and heal. Our founder Alex puts it this way: “I think of it as preempting your healing by hyper-oxygenating the body before your trauma.” Pre-surgical HBOT can even help fight infection. Getting in the chamber pre-surgery also lets you get familiar with the process, and allows our staff to get to know you and your needs.
Another benefit to getting in the chamber after surgery is that it helps clear the anesthesia from your body faster; it can take weeks to clear all the anesthesia after a major surgery. Today, Deena has regained more mobility and flexion in her knee than she thought possible. As a medical professional herself, she is an advocate for using HBOT pre- and post-surgery, and hopes that one day HBOT will be part of standard surgical protocol.
If you are looking to optimize your healing from knee replacement—or any surgery—we are here to support you. Our state-of-the art spa features knowledgeable staff, a relaxing environment, and comfortable hyperbaric chambers. We’d love to answer your questions about surgery and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Give us a call today.
SOURCES:
1. Staff, Mayo Clinic. “Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 12 Jan. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapy/about/pac-20394380.
2. Staff, IHAUSA. “Anti Aging.” International Hyperbarics Association, International Hyperbarics Association, 2020, www.ihausa.org/anti-aging.html.