Eliminating Pain for Chronic Wounds with the Use of Continuous Diffusion of Oxygen Therapy

Background: Use of opioids has reach epidemic levels within our country. CDC’s analysis, based on 2015-2016 data showed prescription opioid-related overdose death rate increased by 10.6%. Decreasing wound associated pain can be challenging as this can lead to noncompliance. In addition, narcotics/opioids can negatively impact wound healing. A family owned Managed Care Organization based in San Antonio has implemented the use of Continuous Diffusion of Oxygen (CDO) therapy for painful chronic wounds.

Purpose: The goal is to analyze pain reduction for four severely painful wounds with the utilization of CDO therapy.

Methods: Pain levels of four patients with diabetic and mixed arterial ulcers were tracked following the placement of CDO. Average wound duration was 10 months. All patient pain levels before the start of therapy were 9 or 10 on a scale of 10. Sharp debridement was performed before placement of the oxygen diffusion dressing and CDO therapy. Compression and offloading were applied as required.

Results: Each patient experienced significant or complete reduction in wound related pain. Most patients (75%) were pain free within 10 days of CDO therapy. The final most complex patient experienced significant pain relief by week 6 (<2). This case series supports similar findings on pain reduction with the use of CDO published in 2018 where 91% of patients experienced noticeable pain relief (>25%) within the first four days.(3) 

Conclusion: This data suggests the use of CDO therapy to eliminate severe pain associated with chronic wounds.