Monongahela Valley Hospital Provides Help for Chronic Wounds

Wounds from injuries and surgeries come in all shapes and sizes. Typically, they heal within 30 days. When a wound does not heal within a month, it is considered chronic and requires specialized attention. The Center for Wound Management at Monongahela Valley Hospital offers Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), a gently pressurized treatment that speeds healing through the intake of pure oxygen.

"Injured tissue needs an adequate supply of oxygenated blood to heal properly," explained Richard A. Young, D.P.M. "When certain factors diminish the oxygen supply, HBOT can be used to deliver the needed oxygen to heal the wounds. It can be an effective therapy to help the healing in people with diabetes, poor circulation, and/or vascular disease.

While air contains only 21% oxygen, the HBOT chamber provides 100% oxygen concentration. Through light pressurization, the lungs are able to take in more oxygen than at normal pressure levels. The oxygen is absorbed into the system and transported throughout the body to help fight bacteria growth and stimulate growth factors - substances within the body which promote healing.

At the Center for Wound Management, an interdisciplinary approach is used to treat slow-healing wounds. MVH's team consists of board-certified specialists in orthopedic and vascular surgery, enterostomal therapy, podiatry, family medicine, infectious diseases and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Patients may self refer to the Center unless their insurance requires a referral from a physician. Treatments typically take two hours and are ordered for five days a week. For more information call 724-258-1934.