What Researchers Did
French diving medicine specialists reviewed how musculoskeletal decompression sickness (MS DCS), joint pain after scuba diving, can lead to bone damage, and outlined how to assess and manage divers before they return to the water.
What They Found
MS DCS is linked to a real risk of bone death (dysbaric osteonecrosis), particularly in the shoulder and hip. MRI scanning 2 months after the incident is the best way to detect early bone damage. HBOT has an anti-swelling effect that can help heal the bone and prevent progression to osteonecrosis.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian divers who experience joint pain after a dive need follow-up care beyond initial HBOT treatment. Without post-injury MRI screening, bone damage may go undetected and lead to permanent joint destruction requiring hip or shoulder replacement.
Canadian Relevance
Decompression sickness is an OHIP-covered indication for HBOT in Ontario. This article highlights that the care pathway for MS DCS should include follow-up imaging and possible additional HBOT, not just emergency treatment.
Study Limitations
This is a clinical communication (expert opinion article) rather than a research study, so the recommendations are based on clinical experience rather than controlled trial data.