Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers with Oxygen:
Understanding TWO2 Therapy
Diabetic
foot ulcers (DFUs) are a painful and frustrating complication of diabetes,
often resistant to healing and at risk of infection, gangrene, and even
amputation. While traditional wound care — dressings, debridement, offloading,
and antibiotics — remains the cornerstone of management, some stubborn wounds
need something more. This is where TWO2 therapy comes into the picture.
What is TWO2 Therapy?
TWO2 stands
for Topical Wound Oxygen therapy — an advanced wound-healing approach
that delivers pressurized oxygen directly to the wound site. Unlike
hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which involves placing the entire body in a
chamber, TWO2 targets only the wound itself using a specially designed,
portable system.
Think of it
as giving your wound a concentrated dose of oxygen — exactly where it’s needed
the most.
How Does It Work?
Oxygen is
critical for tissue repair, immune defense, and the formation of new blood
vessels. But many chronic wounds, especially in diabetic patients, suffer from poor
blood flow and oxygen deficiency.
TWO2 therapy
works through a sealed, pressurized chamber that wraps around the
affected limb (usually the foot or leg). Inside, it delivers:
- 100% pure oxygen
- In cyclic pressure pulses,
improving oxygen absorption and circulation
This
combination accelerates healing in several ways:
- Promotes angiogenesis
(new blood vessel growth)
- Boosts collagen synthesis
and skin repair
- Enhances white blood cell
activity to fight infection
- Reduces local swelling and
inflammation
Why Is It Beneficial for Diabetic Foot Ulcers?
Patients
with diabetes often have multiple challenges — neuropathy, reduced blood flow,
and impaired immune response. These make ulcers harder to heal.
Clinical
studies show that TWO2 therapy:
- Increases wound healing rates significantly
- Is especially effective in non-healing
ulcers that haven't responded to standard care
- Can reduce the need for
amputation when used in time
A 2020 study
published in Diabetes Care showed that TWO2-treated patients were twice
as likely to achieve complete wound closure compared to those receiving
only standard care.
Who Can Use TWO2?
TWO2 therapy
is most suitable for:
- Chronic diabetic foot ulcers
- Venous leg ulcers
- Pressure ulcers or non-healing
surgical wounds
- Patients with adequate
arterial supply, but local hypoxia
It's
generally used 5-7 times per week, for sessions lasting 60–90 minutes,
and can often be administered at home under guidance.
Is It Safe?
Yes — TWO2
is non-invasive, painless, and well-tolerated. Most
patients report no discomfort during the sessions. However, it should not be
used in:
- Wounds with untreated
infections
- Necrotic tissue without proper debridement
- Patients with severe
peripheral arterial disease (unless revascularized)
TWO2 vs. Hyperbaric Oxygen: What's the Difference?
Feature |
TWO2 Therapy |
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) |
Application
Site |
Directly
to the wound |
Whole-body
chamber |
Portability |
Home or
clinic use |
Hospital-based |
Oxygen
Delivery |
Topical,
cyclically pressurized |
Systemic,
at high pressure |
Risk of
Systemic Side Effects |
Minimal |
Possible
(e.g., ear barotrauma) |
Cost &
Convenience |
More
accessible |
More
resource-intensive |
Final Thoughts
TWO2 therapy
is a promising, patient-friendly advancement in the management of chronic
diabetic foot ulcers. By delivering life-giving oxygen right where it's needed,
it offers new hope to patients battling stubborn wounds.
If you or a
loved one is dealing with a non-healing diabetic foot ulcer, consult your wound
care specialist or plastic surgeon to see if TWO2 therapy could be part of your
healing plan.
Want to know
if TWO2 therapy is available in your area or if you're a suitable candidate?
Reach out to your plastic surgeon today.