Healing Beyond the Surface

On a summer evening in 2024, Robert Layton went from relaxed to worried with a lift of his leg.

The 44-year-old semitruck driver’s wife spotted something and stopped him as he kicked back on the couch.

“There was a hole in my foot,” Robert says.

Because of the foot numbness and tingling Robert experiences due to diabetes, he hadn’t noticed the sore. It was located on the outside part of his left foot, in a spot that was hard for him to see when looking down. A pair of ill-fitting shoes had caused the problem. It was bad—and getting worse.

Robert knew he needed help. For someone who delivers countless packages to doors, his feet are crucial to his livelihood, and one of them, he soon found out, was at risk of needing to be amputated if his situation didn’t improve.

Wound Care at Christian Hospital takes a comprehensive approach to treating chronic, nonhealing wounds, and played a key role in Robert’s recovery and return to work after he was referred to the hospital and diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a bone infection caused by bacteria that can lead to inflammation and permanent bone damage.

His treatment included a wound cleaning, and he was fitted for a walking cast that he wore for more than a month. To fight infection, he took oral and IV antibiotics at home on a closely monitored schedule. And to expedite his recovery as much as possible, Robert reported to Christian Hospital every weekday for eight weeks for hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Christian Hospital was the first facility in north St. Louis County to offer the advanced treatment. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy makes it possible for patients to breathe pure oxygen, which promotes healing in the body’s tissue, blood, and bones. The treatment lasts for two hours and can help patients with osteomyelitis, diabetic ulcers, skin grafts, and other conditions.

“It was a lot to take in, but it was the right thing to do,” Robert says. “It saved me from losing my foot.”

At first, Robert thought the hyperbaric chamber’s tube-like structure looked intimidating. Quickly, he became a fan.

“You can watch movies or listen to music while you’re in there,” Robert says. “It’s a wonder—and it helped me heal.”

Robert is now a lot more careful about inspecting his feet for signs of potential trouble. He wears wider shoes designed for diabetics along with custom insoles. He’s happy to be back to work, driving and delivering packages with healthy feet and a thankful heart.

“All the doctors, nurses, and staff who helped me out a lot, and I will be forever grateful for them,” he says. “I will always appreciate what they did for me.”

Visit Pain Management at Christian Hospital to learn more and schedule an appointment.