Larry Miller to undergo hyperbaric treatment for diabetes

Jazz owner and entrepreneur Larry Miller will be going inside a hyperbaric chamber to help him deal with complications from his diabetes and a bone infection. The chamber has become an effective tool and a unique way to speed up the healing of wounds.

Miller has continued therapy and rehab at home since he was released from the hospital more than two months ago. He's healing from the heart attack that put him there, but complications from his diabetes linger.

With foot ulcers and a bone infection, Miller will combine some IV treatments with sessions inside a hyperbaric chamber.

Doctors say the chamber's success in healing wounds is pretty remarkable.

"By pressurizing a patient while we give them pure oxygen, we can dissolve more oxygen in the patient's blood and in their tissue and deliver more oxygen to these wounds that are somewhat oxygen deprived," explained Intermountain Medical Center's Dr. Lindell Weaver.

Chamber oxygen also increases healing products that come out of cells. It can suppress infection as well, especially in bone, by stimulating white blood cells.

Lissette Baker is recovering from surgery on a one-time flesh-eating wound that extends from her wrist to the shoulder. After numerous sessions inside the chamber, she's seen improvement.

"I have increased mobility. The swelling has decreased," Baker said.

It's the same for diabetic patient Fred Daniel. Today was his 23rd session. "Right now, I'm feeling a lot better, more comfortable; not too much pain right now," he said.

Combined with exercise, diet and other treatments, three to six weeks of hyperbaric oxygen again heals wounds, often reducing the need for amputations.

Despite setbacks, Miller still hopes to be out of his wheelchair in three to four weeks.

E-mail: eyeates@ksl.com

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