Sinus tracts, or tunneling wounds, are severe complications that can emerge from chronic wounds. Such ulcers are long and narrow. They penetrate the skin and tissue deeply, often making them hard to treat and clean. Delayed healing and increased infection risk are among the problems that affect deep wounds when conventional wound care methods do not yield fruitful results.
Understanding the causes of developing tunneling wounds
Various causes can lead to the development of tunneling wounds, such as:
- Diabetic foot ulcers: Patients with diabetes have higher chances of developing tunneling wounds due to poor blood circulation and neuropathy.
- Pressure ulcers: These sores are caused by pressure applied to the skin for extended periods of time. People who are bedridden or cannot move around easily often get them.
- Surgical site infections: The bacteria left behind after an operation may cause a wound in the form of a tract (tunnel).
- Abscesses: Abscesses occur when there is a rupture, subsequently scarring and often leaving a tunnel-like track.
Challenges of Treating Tunneling Wounds
Tunneling wounds pose unique challenges to wound care providers due to their profound and restricted nature. As a result of being deep and narrow, it is challenging to:
- Cleanse the wound effectively: Traditional cleaning methods may not reach the entire length of the tunneling tract, leaving bacteria behind that can impede healing.
- Deliver medication: Topical medications may not penetrate deep enough to reach the infected tissue.
- Promote tissue growth: The limited blood flow to the affected area can hinder the body’s natural healing process.
The Vayu Hyperbarics Advantage: Faster Healing for Tunneling Wounds
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a powerful way to treat tunneling wounds. HBOT refers to when the patient inhales pure oxygen while under pressure in a hyperbaric chamber. This process increases the concentration of oxygen being delivered to the patient. The benefits of this include:
- Boosted oxygen delivery: Oxygen is forced into the bloodstream at much higher levels than normal, even reaching the most remote tissues within the wound canal.
- Promoted healing: More oxygen encourages the development of new blood vessels and collagen, both necessary for effectively healing wounds.
- Combats infection: Germ growth becomes greatly hindered with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which is an effectual measure for preventing infections.
Benefits of Hyperbaric Treatment for Tunneling Wounds at Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic
At our clinic, we offer comprehensive hyperbaric programs geared towards tunneling wounds. A personalized care program that meets your needs will be formulated by our experts. What distinguishes us is:
- Skilled staff: Our wound care specialists are highly trained and have vast experience in handling tunneling wounds and other complex issues using treatment measures like hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).
- Modernized equipment: We use the latest hyperbaric chambers and other equipment that assure a treatment process that is as safe and comfortable as possible.
- Individually tailored assistance: Each patient is unique, so we create a customized treatment plan to maximize your healing potential.
- An all-inclusive approach: Our team carefully considers each treatment option available before moving forward. Combining HBOT with other advanced wound care methods sets us apart from other clinics and helps our team achieve the best outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- How long does it take to treat tunneling wounds with HBOT?
The duration of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) may vary for tunneling wounds. This is due to the disparities in the severity of wounds and the individual patient’s health. In most cases, more than one visit to the chamber will be necessary, usually taking 90-110 minutes each.
- Is HBOT a comfortable therapy to undergo?
In general, HBOT is a comfortable therapy for most. Some patients may feel mild discomfort during pressurization and decompression, but this doesn’t last long. If you feel any discomfort, communicate with our team and we will handle the situation quickly and effectively.
- Does my insurance plan cover hyperbaric treatment for tunneling wounds?
Every patient will receive custom tailored treatments and many case- scenarios are covered by insurance as well.. We also have a team that can check if your insurance is covered and assist in the process of getting authorization.
If you or a loved one is suffering from tunneling wounds or any other wound complications, you deserve top notch care from the trained physician and staff with experience and compassion.
Contact Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic & Hyperbarics today to schedule a meeting and get more information on whether hyperbaric healing is a viable wound healing option for you.