Hi Kate! There are tons of posts about ORN (osteoradionecrosis) and HBO (hyperbaric oxygen therapy). Unfortunately, HBO has as many pros and it does cons depending on who you talk to. As far as I know, there isnt much scientific data either. Ive dont more than my share of dives and have always found them very helpful. They are also very time consuming. I would spend about 4 hours a day from the time I left my house, got checked by nurse, changed clothes, did HBO, checked by nurse again, changed clothes and returned home. For major wound healing issues, both HBO and IV antibiotics may be used together. It took me over 8 months of the IV antibiotics 3x a day along with HBO to heal after a complicated surgery to an area that had been radiated.

Im assuming the ORN is a result of his rads??? If your husband has not gotten a second opinion, that would be an excellent place to start. If possible, take him to a CCC for the second or even third opinion. With a team based approach, he would have a very well rounded exam and treatment plan.

Best wishes with everything. Please keep us posted on how yoru husband makes out.

I suggest speaking to all your husbands doctors about delaying HBO and taking their input into consideration to make the decision. OCF members are patients/survivors and caregivers not medical professionals. We dont have years of medical school or experience with patients, including knowledge of their full medical histories. I would love to help but I dont feel qualified to know if waiting is ok or not.