01 / Joint comfort · Human pilot
A potential role in symptom relief
A small rheumatoid-arthritis study reported reduced pain and improvements in disease-activity measures after HBOT. These early findings merit further controlled research.1
Scottsdale & Glendale, Arizona
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for arthritis & inflammatory conditions
When joint pain limits your day, understanding your options matters. Early research points to potential benefits for rheumatoid-arthritis symptoms and recovery after knee replacement. Explore the evidence with RX-O2 and discuss whether HBOT could complement your care.1, 2
HBOT for arthritis is an emerging, off-label use. Evidence is limited and varies by diagnosis; treatment, if prescribed, complements ongoing rheumatology or orthopedic care.
More possibilities to explore.Physician-led hyperbaric care in the Valley.
FDA-cleared chambersHard-shell hyperbaric systems
100% medical oxygenBreathed through a dedicated mask or hood
Physician-led careMedical evaluation before treatment
NHSA-certified techniciansAttentive monitoring throughout your visit
Understanding the possibilities
Joint comfort, movement, and the science of inflammation
Arthritis describes different joint diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis involves autoimmune inflammation; osteoarthritis involves changes across the joint, including cartilage and underlying bone. Your diagnosis helps determine which research is relevant.9, 10
02 / Recovery · Human trial
Supporting early movement after surgery
A randomized knee-replacement trial reported favorable early pain, swelling, and muscle-recovery outcomes. This research concerns postoperative recovery.2
03 / Joint biology · Animal research
Investigating cartilage protection
Recent animal studies explore effects on cartilage integrity and abnormal blood-vessel signaling beneath the joint surface. Human cartilage restoration has not been established.3, 5
Start with what matters to you. Easier walking, more comfortable daily tasks, or getting back to rehabilitation may be goals worth discussing. A consultation connects those goals with your diagnosis, current treatment, and the limits of the evidence.
Published research
Promising findings, with the context you need
Literature checked
Explore selected studies below. Human trials, follow-up reports, and laboratory research contribute different kinds of evidence; they should not be counted as equivalent proof of benefit.
Rheumatoid arthritis · 2021
Improvements in pain and disease-activity scores
10 participants · Uncontrolled pilot study
Participants received 30 HBOT sessions over six to ten weeks. Investigators reported lower pain scores at the end of treatment and improvements in selected disease-activity comparisons at three and six months.
Two participants already in remission were excluded from disease-activity analyses. Without a control group, the study cannot establish how much improvement was caused by HBOT.
Read the rheumatoid-arthritis pilotKnee-replacement recovery · 2025
Encouraging early recovery after surgery
80 randomized · Single-center controlled trial
Patients undergoing knee replacement for osteoarthritis received standard care with either HBOT or oxygen at normal pressure. The HBOT group showed better early muscle-injury and inflammation measures, with favorable pain and mobility findings.
Two HBOT participants withdrew, leaving 78 for follow-up. The study assessed early recovery and does not establish lasting benefit or treatment of osteoarthritis without surgery.
Read the knee-replacement trialOsteoarthritis biology · 2026
A closer look at cartilage and joint circulation
Rat model · Preclinical research
In a post-traumatic osteoarthritis model, HBOT begun after disease was established was associated with less pain-related sensitivity, more favorable circulation measurements beneath the cartilage, and better cartilage findings.
This is animal research. It supports investigation of joint-protection mechanisms and does not show that HBOT regrows cartilage, reverses arthritis, or prevents joint replacement in people.
Read the 2026 osteoarthritis studyHow to use these findings: The research offers reasons for a thoughtful consultation, while larger, well-controlled studies are needed to establish benefit for arthritis itself. Results in one diagnosis or surgical setting cannot be extended to every inflammatory condition.
Explore the wider evidence
More research on inflammation and joint health
Open a study to see what it adds. The MRI follow-up below involves participants from the earlier rheumatoid-arthritis pilot; it is not an independent treatment trial.
2026 review: oxygenation, inflammation, and cartilage biology
Zhou and colleagues discuss how HBOT might influence the low-oxygen environment of diseased joints, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and tissue repair. The review identifies potential advantages and research gaps. It summarizes proposed mechanisms and earlier literature; it does not supply new patient-trial results. Read the osteoarthritis review.
2025 mouse study: regulating abnormal vessel signaling
Wang and colleagues reported slower osteoarthritis progression in mice and investigated a pathway called PHD2/HIF-1α. Their experiments suggest that HBOT can influence abnormal vessel formation in the bone beneath cartilage. Related cell experiments explored cartilage-forming activity. These findings explain a possible mechanism, not a proven human treatment effect. Read the mouse and cell study.
2024 rat study: inflammatory arthritis and antirheumatic medicines
An experimental study compared HBOT, antirheumatic medicines, and combinations of the two. Treated groups had improvements in arthritis scores, swelling, and selected inflammatory markers. Combining treatments produced effects similar to the individual therapies in this model. The findings do not establish an added benefit in humans or justify replacing prescribed arthritis medication. Read the inflammatory-arthritis animal study.
2023 MRI follow-up: stable findings in nine pilot participants
Follow-up imaging from the earlier rheumatoid-arthritis pilot found no progression of joint erosions, synovitis, or bone-marrow edema in nine participants at three and six months. This observation is encouraging, but stable scans are not evidence of reversed damage. Without an untreated comparison group, the report cannot establish that HBOT prevented progression. Read the MRI follow-up report.
2020 mouse study: immune-cell balance and joint inflammation
Researchers studying experimentally induced arthritis found changes in inflammatory and regulatory T-cell markers, alongside less paw swelling. Not every measured marker improved significantly. This work adds to the biological rationale for studying HBOT as an adjunct; it does not demonstrate immune-system correction in patients. Read the immune-signaling study.
Find newer arthritis and HBOT research on PubMed · Live results may include publications that have not been assessed for this page.
Your diagnosis. Your priorities.
A conversation that fits your care plan
Whether you are managing inflammatory arthritis, living with osteoarthritis, or planning recovery after joint surgery, bring your current care plan to the consultation. We can discuss what the research may mean for your situation.
- Joint symptoms and diagnosis
- Current medicines and specialist care
- Walking, hand use, and daily activities
- Surgery plans and rehabilitation goals
Tracking a few practical measures before treatment can help you and your care team assess change. Discuss a reassessment point and what would justify continuing, adjusting, or stopping a prescribed course.
Keep your specialist involved. Continue prescribed medicines, including DMARDs or biologics, and your recommended rehabilitation. Medication changes belong with your prescribing clinician. HBOT should not delay diagnosis or established treatment.9
The RX-O2 difference
Your facility matters. So does your team.
From your first questions to each treatment visit, our Scottsdale and Glendale clinics focus on medical oversight, patient education, and attentive care.
Care led by a physician
Medical Director Marvin A. Borsand, DO, FACOS, FACCS, HCC, leads clinical oversight. A licensed medical provider evaluates suitability and prescribes treatment when appropriate.
FDA-cleared hard-shell chambers
Our facilities use prescription-level hyperbaric systems, with chamber selection and treatment settings matched to your prescribed plan.
100% medical-grade oxygen
You breathe oxygen through a dedicated mask or hood while the chamber is pressurized with air. Your technicians monitor you throughout treatment.
NHSA-certified hyperbaric technicians
Our technicians are certified through the National Hyperbaric Safety Association and trained in chamber operations, patient monitoring, and emergency procedures.
Getting started
Take the next step with a clear plan
Share your history
Bring your diagnosis, medication list, relevant imaging or lab reports, and your rheumatology or orthopedic treatment plan.
Review suitability
A licensed medical provider considers the evidence, your health history, treatment risks, and goals before deciding whether HBOT is appropriate.
Plan and reassess
If treatment is prescribed, agree on the schedule, costs, practical needs, and a point to review your response with your care team.
Explore the commitment before purchasing. Our pricing and packages page lists current options. Discuss medical suitability first; a research study’s schedule is not a prescription for every person with arthritis.
Local care, two Valley locations
Explore HBOT in Scottsdale or Glendale
Looking for a hyperbaric consultation near Phoenix? RX-O2 offers two locations for patients across the Valley. Call the clinic closest to you for appointment availability and help planning repeat visits.
RX-O2 Scottsdale
9035 E Pima Center Parkway #11Scottsdale, AZ 85258
An East Valley option for patients in Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, and nearby communities.
RX-O2 Glendale
5626 N 51st AvenueGlendale, AZ 85301
A West Valley option for patients in Glendale, Peoria, Phoenix, and nearby communities.
Before your consultation
Questions about HBOT for arthritis
Bring your questions about the evidence, your diagnosis, and what treatment visits would involve.
Could HBOT help with my arthritis symptoms?
Early findings suggest potential benefit in selected settings, but the likelihood and size of benefit remain uncertain. Your diagnosis, current care, goals, and medical suitability determine whether an off-label consultation is reasonable.
Is the evidence the same for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis?
No. The rheumatoid-arthritis evidence highlighted here includes a small uncontrolled human pilot. Much of the osteoarthritis research concerns animal models; the human trial on this page concerns recovery after knee replacement. These findings address different questions.
Can HBOT rebuild cartilage or help me avoid joint replacement?
Cartilage research is promising at the experimental level, but human cartilage regrowth and avoidance of joint replacement have not been established. Discuss joint-preserving care and surgery decisions with your orthopedic specialist.
Can I ask about HBOT around knee-replacement surgery?
Yes. Bring your surgery and rehabilitation plan so the potential role, timing, and practical requirements can be discussed with your surgeon. The published trial focused on early postoperative care; it does not define a universal outpatient protocol.
Is HBOT FDA-approved for arthritis?
Arthritis treatment is an off-label use of HBOT. RX-O2 uses FDA-cleared chambers; equipment clearance does not establish approval or effectiveness for arthritis.
How many sessions would I need?
There is no established HBOT course that applies to all types of arthritis. If treatment is prescribed, the provider will discuss a schedule and reassessment plan. Ask about visit frequency, overall cost, and realistic goals before purchasing a package.
What should I know about safety and comfort?
Tell the provider about lung conditions, ear or sinus problems, implanted devices, and all medicines. Discuss joint positioning and mobility assistance. Possible side effects include ear-pressure injury, temporary vision changes, and confinement anxiety; less common serious risks include oxygen toxicity and lung pressure injury. Electronics and battery-powered devices are prohibited inside RX-O2 chambers.11, 12
Where can I book an HBOT consultation near Phoenix?
RX-O2 has Scottsdale and Glendale clinics. Book online, call 480-270-6090 for Scottsdale, or call 623-930-0887 for Glendale. Let the team know about mobility or positioning needs when you arrange your visit.
Let’s discuss your possibilities.
Explore the research and your joint-health goals with a physician-led team in Scottsdale or Glendale.
Sources & further reading
- Sit MT et al. (2021). The Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Pilot Study. J Clin Rheumatol.
- Zhang R et al. (2025). Effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on postoperative muscle damage and inflammation following total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep.
- Huang GS et al. (2026). Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Improves Subchondral Perfusion and Cartilage Integrity in Established Osteoarthritis: A Pharmacokinetic DCE-MRI and T2* Quantification Study. Cartilage.
- Dulberger A et al. (2023). The effects of hyperbaric oxygen on MRI findings in rheumatoid arthritis: A pilot study. Undersea Hyperb Med.
- Wang J et al. (2025). Mechanism of hyperbaric oxygen therapy downregulating H-type angiogenesis in subchondral bone of knee osteoarthritis through the PHD2/HIF-1α pathway. J Orthop Surg Res.
- Hallak M et al. (2024). Comparison of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in the experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis in rats. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol.
- Harnanik T et al. (2020). Effects of Hyperbaric Oxygen on T helper 17/regulatory T Polarization in Antigen and Collagen-induced Arthritis: Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α as a Target. Oman Med J.
- Zhou X et al. (2026). Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for knee osteoarthritis: treatment mechanism, potential advantages, and limitations. Med Gas Res.
- NIAMS. Rheumatoid Arthritis: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Steps to Take.
- NIAMS. Osteoarthritis: Overview, Symptoms, and Causes.
- FDA (2025). Follow Instructions for Safe Use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Devices.
- Heyboer M III et al. (2017). Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy: Side Effects Defined and Quantified. Advances in Wound Care, 6(6), 210–224.
Eight selected research publications are discussed on this page. The rheumatoid-arthritis MRI report follows an earlier pilot cohort, and reviews summarize previous work; these are not additional independent treatment trials. Other references cover medical care and treatment safety.
Literature checked September 10, 2026. This source-check date does not represent an independent physician-review attestation or an exhaustive systematic review. Research summaries are educational; your clinical evaluation determines whether treatment is appropriate.