Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery offers expert patient care, education, training and research opportunities.
Specialized Care for Complex and Chronic Wounds
Wounds that do not heal as expected need specialized care. At Lahey Clinic, wound care focuses on treating the underlying cause of a wound while supporting healing, comfort, and long-term skin health.
Services are available through a dedicated wound care clinic, offering medical wound care for acute injuries, chronic wounds, and complex conditions that require advanced treatment.
Understanding Chronic Wounds
A chronic wound is a wound that heals slowly or does not heal without medical care. These wounds are sometimes called a non-healing wound and often need ongoing treatment from a wound care specialist.
Types of Chronic Wounds and Causes
Common types of chronic wounds include:
- Bone infection
- Diabetic foot wounds
- Pressure injuries (bed sores)
- Skin damage caused by radiation therapy
- Surgical wounds that do not heal as expected
- Wounds related to infection or poor circulation
Some wounds may also require surgical evaluation or treatment of infection. Specialized care is also available for burn wound care and other complex skin injuries.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is an advanced treatment used for certain chronic and hard-to-heal wounds.
During HBOT treatment, you breathe 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber. This increases oxygen levels in the blood and tissues, helping wounds heal more effectively.
Benefits of HBOT
The benefits of HBOT may include:
- Improved oxygen delivery to damaged tissue.
- Support for healing in chronic or infected wounds.
- Reduced swelling and inflammation.
- Enhanced response to other wound care treatments.
HBOT may be recommended when standard wound care has not been enough on its own.
