What Researchers Did
Researchers ran a randomized controlled trial with 80 knee replacement patients to see if HBOT reduced muscle damage and swelling after surgery.
What They Found
Patients who received HBOT had significantly lower muscle damage markers (creatine kinase, LDH, myoglobin) at 3 days post-surgery compared to those who received normobaric oxygen. The HBOT group also had less leg swelling, stronger quadriceps recovery, and lower pain scores on days 2 and 3. No difference in adverse events was found between groups.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadians recovering from total knee replacement, HBOT may speed up early recovery, reduce pain, and improve leg function in the first two weeks. Patients who want to return to mobility faster may benefit from asking their surgeon about HBOT as a post-operative add-on.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
The 40-patient groups are small, the study was conducted in China, and follow-up extended only to 14 days post-surgery, so long-term recovery differences remain unknown.