What Researchers Did
Researchers documented the case of a 48-year-old diabetic patient who developed chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS) Type 1 despite receiving early hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy after subtalar arthrodesis and infection.
What They Found
The patient received 19 hyperbaric oxygen sessions at 2.2 ATA following subtalar arthrodesis and infection. Despite wound healing by 7 weeks, hyperesthesia persisted, and a CT scan at 5.5 months confirmed satisfactory joint fusion but also symptoms consistent with chronic regional pain syndrome Type 1. This suggests early HBO therapy did not prevent CRPS development.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients undergoing surgery and receiving hyperbaric oxygen therapy for wound healing should still be closely monitored for the development of chronic regional pain syndrome. This case suggests that early HBO therapy may not offer protection against CRPS onset.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The primary limitation of this study is that it is a single case report, which limits the generalizability of its findings.