Effects of the Percutaneous Carbon Dioxide Therapy on Post-surgical and Post-traumatic Hematoma, Edema and Pain.

Introduction: Carbon dioxide therapy (CDT) has been used since the Roman Empire to improve the microcirculation and oxygenation of tissues altered. The classical indications are vasculopathies and ischemic diseases.

Hypothesis: The CDT could be effective in favoring joint mobility recovery and pain reduction in patients with post-surgical or post-traumatic hematoma, edema, and pain.

Study Design: Case report.

Material And Methods: Eight patients were treated once a day for 5-10 days; a single session lasted 50 min. For post-surgical cases, the treatment began the day or the day after they were discharged from the hospital.

Result: For all patients in this series, the CDT has brought clinical benefits in terms of decreasing pain and improving of joint mobility.

Conclusion: The CDT is a safe and effective treatment to provide a greater amount of oxygen to the injured tissues. It favors the healing of post-surgical and post-traumatic hematoma and edema, promoting the mobility recovery of patients.