Hyperbaric oxygen therapy has been reported as successful in treating small numbers of patients with chronic osteomyelitis.
To determine the nature of the action of this therapy experimental staphylococcal bone infections in rats were treated with intermittent exposures to oxygen at two and three atmospheres absolute pressure.
No reduction in the infection rate following bacterial contamination was produced by the exposures used but a significant increase in the healing of established osteomyelitis was seen. Possible mechanisms for this effect are discussed and require further investigation.