Diabetic Wound Treatment in Chicago: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Non-Healing Wounds
Last Updated: August 20, 2026
CNS Brain Center provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in Chicago for patients with non-healing diabetic wounds that have not responded to standard wound care. Used alongside ongoing wound management, HBOT increases oxygen delivery to damaged tissue to support healing and may help reduce the risk of amputation in appropriate candidates. If you or a patient has a diabetic foot or leg wound that has stalled for weeks despite treatment, HBOT is worth discussing with your care team.
What Is a Non-Healing Diabetic Wound?
A non-healing diabetic wound is a foot or lower-leg wound, often called a diabetic foot ulcer, that fails to improve with standard wound care. Diabetes can reduce circulation and cause nerve damage, which makes it harder for the body to heal wounds on its own and easier for infection to set in unnoticed. Wounds are staged using the Wagner classification system, and wounds at Wagner Grade 3 or higher — involving deeper tissue, bone, or infection — are the wounds most likely to benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Signs a Wound May Need Advanced Care
If a diabetic wound is not responding as expected, it may be time to consider evaluation by a wound care specialist or hyperbaric medicine physician. Signs that additional treatment may be appropriate include:
- The wound has shown little to no improvement after several weeks of standard wound care
- The wound is deep, involves exposed bone or tendon, or shows signs of infection
- Poor circulation or peripheral neuropathy is present alongside the wound
- Your podiatrist or wound care physician has raised HBOT as a possible next step
How Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Supports Wound Healing
During HBOT, patients breathe 100% oxygen inside a pressurized chamber. The increased pressure allows the blood to carry significantly more oxygen than it can at normal air pressure, and that oxygen is delivered directly to the wound. This process increases the amount of oxygen delivered to damaged tissue, supporting angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels), collagen production, and other cellular processes involved in wound healing. For diabetic wounds affected by poor circulation, this additional oxygen may help support healing that has stalled despite appropriate standard wound care.
The CNS Brain Center Difference: Chamber Type Matters
The type of chamber and treatment pressure influence how much oxygen can be delivered to the body’s tissues during therapy. CNS Brain Center uses hard-shell, monitored hyperbaric chambers capable of reaching up to 3 atmospheres absolute (ATA) using 100% medical-grade oxygen — the type of therapy studied in clinical research and recognized by Medicare and most insurance plans for diabetic wound treatment. This differs from lower-pressure mHBOT units sometimes offered in wellness settings, which typically use pressurized air rather than 100% oxygen at pressures up to about 1.5 ATA and are not the same medical treatment studied for diabetic wound healing.
Who Is a Candidate for HBOT?
- Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes with a lower-extremity wound caused by diabetes
- Wound classified as Wagner Grade 3 or higher
- Documented failure of an adequate course of standard wound care, generally around 30 days
- A physician evaluation, including a vascular and wound assessment, to confirm candidacy
If your diabetic wound has stopped improving despite appropriate wound care, our team can determine whether hyperbaric oxygen therapy is an appropriate next step. Contact CNS Brain Center in Chicago at [Phone] or [Booking Link] to schedule a consultation.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment Protocol
- Most HBOT protocols for diabetic wounds involve daily sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes, continuing for approximately 30 to 60 total treatments depending on wound severity and healing response. Your hyperbaric medicine physician monitors the wound throughout the course of treatment and adjusts the plan as needed.
Safety Considerations
- HBOT is generally well tolerated under medical supervision. Patients take scheduled air breaks during each session to minimize the risk of oxygen-related side effects, which are uncommon. A pre-treatment screening identifies any conditions that would make HBOT inappropriate. HBOT is provided alongside — not in place of — ongoing standard wound care, including debridement and offloading.
Is HBOT Covered by Insurance?
Medicare and most major insurance plans cover hyperbaric oxygen therapy for diabetic wounds when specific medical criteria are met, including Wagner Grade 3 or higher classification and documented failure of standard wound care. Coverage details vary by plan. Our team verifies benefits and coordinates with referring physicians before treatment begins, so patients have a clear picture of expected costs before starting care.
For Referring Physicians: Podiatry & Wound Care Partners
CNS Brain Center partners with podiatrists, wound care physicians, and other specialists throughout the Chicago area to provide adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy for patients with non-healing diabetic wounds. To refer a patient, our team coordinates directly with your office to gather wound history, staging documentation, and insurance information, then schedules an evaluation to confirm candidacy. Treatment updates and progress reports are shared with the referring provider to help maintain continuity of care throughout the patient's treatment plan. Contact our referral coordinator at [Insert Phone Number] or submit a referral through [Insert Referral Form Link].
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a non-healing diabetic wound?
A diabetic wound is generally considered non-healing when it shows no meaningful improvement after several weeks of standard wound care, such as debridement, dressing changes, and offloading. These wounds most often occur on the feet and lower legs and are linked to reduced circulation and nerve damage from diabetes. Wounds classified as Wagner Grade 3 or higher — meaning they involve deeper tissue, bone, or infection — are the wounds most likely to benefit from hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
How does hyperbaric oxygen therapy help diabetic wounds heal?
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) delivers 100% oxygen at increased atmospheric pressure, which raises the amount of oxygen the blood can carry to the wound. This added oxygen stimulates new blood vessel growth, supports the cells that rebuild tissue, and can improve the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat wound infection. For diabetic wounds affected by poor circulation, this extra oxygen can help support healing that has stalled with standard care alone.
Who is a candidate for HBOT for a diabetic wound?
Candidates typically have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes with a lower-extremity wound classified as Wagner Grade 3 or higher, and the wound has not responded to an adequate course of standard wound care, generally around 30 days. A physician evaluation, including a vascular and wound assessment, is required to confirm candidacy. Your podiatrist, wound care physician, or our hyperbaric medicine team can help determine whether HBOT is an appropriate next step.
Is hyperbaric oxygen therapy covered by insurance or Medicare?
Medicare and most major insurance plans cover HBOT for diabetic wounds when specific criteria are met, including Wagner Grade 3 or higher classification and documented failure of standard wound care. Coverage details vary by plan, so our team verifies benefits and coordinates with referring physicians before treatment begins. We recommend confirming your specific coverage with our office before starting care.
How many HBOT sessions are needed for a diabetic wound?
Most treatment plans involve daily sessions lasting 60 to 90 minutes, continuing for approximately 30 to 60 total treatments depending on wound severity and response. Your hyperbaric medicine physician reassesses the wound throughout treatment and adjusts the plan as needed. HBOT is provided alongside — not in place of — ongoing standard wound care.
Can hyperbaric oxygen therapy help prevent amputation?
For patients with severe, non-healing diabetic wounds, HBOT has been shown to support faster healing and may help reduce the risk of major amputation when used as part of a comprehensive wound care plan. It is not a guaranteed alternative to surgery in every case, and outcomes depend on wound severity, circulation, and overall health. Discussing your specific situation with your wound care team and a hyperbaric medicine physician provides the clearest picture of your options.
Will I still need wound care during HBOT?
Yes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used alongside, not instead of, standard wound care. Most patients continue to receive wound care, such as debridement, dressing changes, pressure offloading, blood sugar management, and regular follow-up, while undergoing HBOT. Combining these treatments gives the wound the best opportunity to heal.
Ready to take the next step? Contact CNS Brain Center in Chicago at 773-904-7101 or Book Online to schedule a hyperbaric medicine consultation for a non-healing diabetic wound.