HBOT is a promising adjunctive therapy for selected sports and musculoskeletal injuries. At NUMA, is individually assessed, medically prescribed and integrated alongside sports medicine, physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Sports and exercise-related injuries affect individuals across all levels of physical activity, from elite athletes to recreational exercisers. Muscle strains, ligament sprains, tendon injuries, stress fractures, bone marrow oedema, and post-surgical recovery challenges can significantly affect physical function, activity levels, and recovery.
Across available human studies, HBOT has demonstrated benefits in selected sports injuries, including faster return to play, reduced pain and oedema, and improved tissue healing. It is best used alongside sports medicine, physiotherapy and orthopaedic care as part of a structured rehabilitation programme.
In 32 professional and semi-professional rugby players with grade 2 MCL injuries, HBOT was associated with a faster return to play: 31.4 vs 42.1 days without HBOT
In 52 patients following ACL reconstruction, adjunctive HBOT was associated with improved graft maturation and reduced bone marrow oedema on MRI at 4 months.
In a randomised placebo-controlled study of 41 athletes, HBOT produced significant improvements in pain and reductions in muscle-injury biomarkers after 10 sessions.
There is no good evidence that HBOT alone heals a fully ruptured ACL, and larger controlled human trials are still needed across these applications. This is general information, not medical advice, suitability for HBOT is assessed individually by our clinical team, alongside your sports medicine or orthopaedic team.
A review of the evidence for HBOT across ligament, tendon, muscle, bone marrow oedema and post-surgical rehabilitation, examining its role as an adjunct within sports injury recovery and rehabilitation.
Every HBOT programme begins with an individual medical assessment. Treatment is prescribed according to the type and severity of injury, clinical presentation and rehabilitation goals, with the protocol tailored to each patient.
on consecutive days, as used in most published protocols.
supporting graft integration and early healing.
guided by imaging and clinical response.
Every treatment plan is personalised. The number, frequency and timing of HBOT sessions vary according to individual clinical circumstances and may change as treatment progresses.
HBOT is a medical treatment that requires specialist assessment and prescription to ensure it is safe, appropriate and tailored to your clinical needs. Treatment is provided alongside your existing sports medicine, physiotherapy and orthopaedic care. Your consultation with our specialist medical doctor includes:
Don't just take our word for it — hear directly from patients who have completed treatment with us.
A review of the evidence for HBOT in traumatic brain injury, including concussion in sport.
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A review of the evidence for HBOT in avascular necrosis, including bone marrow oedema and early, pre-collapse disease.
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How HBOT is used alongside surgery and rehabilitation to support healing after injury and operation.
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NUMA is a consultant-led specialist HBOT clinic focused exclusively on medical hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Our service combines medical oversight, personalised treatment planning and purpose-built facilities designed to support safe and high-standard care.
