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June 23, 2017

New hyperbaric oxygen chambers make a difference in healing wounds

Seeing James Oody two-stepping across the dance floor, there’s no clue that he came close to a leg amputation. He credits the doctors and nurses at Marshall Wound Healing Center for fighting a raging infection that took two toes and required many skin grafts.
“When I came here, I came in a wheelchair,” the 71-year-old security/law enforcement retiree said. “I barely could walk. Now I go dancing.”
It started innocently in late 2014 when Oody stubbed his toe, knocking a toenail loose. It became infected. Poor circulation contributed to the problem so Dr. Alan Willis performed surgery to bypass the blocked portion of the main artery in the leg using a piece of another blood vessel.
“Dr. Willis told me he didn’t know if he could save my leg but he sure would try,” Oody recalled.
In January 2015 Oody’s big toe and middle toe were amputated, and Dr. Willis sent him to the Marshall Wound Healing Center. The staff trained him how to take care of his wound. Every Friday for about 10 months, he spent time at Marshall Wound Healing Center and completed 30 hyperbaric oxygen treatments to promote healing.
It paid off. Oody now is the picture of health and is enjoying life. Originally from East Tennessee, Oody served in the Army from 1962-1975. He retired from the provost office on Redstone Arsenal in 2013. He has no intention of slowing down now.
“I credit all I can do now to the people in the Wound Center,” he said. “I was able to keep my leg and my foot. I lost two toes so I’ll never be a kicker for the University of Alabama but that’s okay.”
Two new hyperbaric oxygen chambers were recently installed at the Marshall Wound Healing Center. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or HBO, increases the amount of oxygen to wounds allowing them to heal from the inside. 
Patients receiving treatments watch television while relaxing on an encased bed as they are surrounded by 100 percent oxygen at higher-than-normal atmospheric pressure. Under hyperbaric conditions, oxygen is transported throughout the body to speed healing. 
HBO treatments are used for wounds that have not responded to traditional treatments.  Treatments are typically covered by Medicare, Medicaid and most insurance plans. 
Chronic wounds affect more than 8 million people in the U.S. and the incidence is rising fueled by an aging population and increasing rates of diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity and the late effects of radiation therapy.
From hyperbaric oxygen therapy to specialized wraps and dressings, the Wound Healing Center offers many specialized therapies to help wounds heal faster.
The Marshall Wound Healing Center is located at 11491 US Highway 431 in Albertville inside the Marshall Professional Center. No physician referral is required. For more information, call (256)894-6976. Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 8 am - 4 pm and Friday 8 am - 3 pm.