Outlook

Prognosis varies with the following factors:

• Prognosis is good with hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

• Delay to hyperbaric oxygen treatment: Although reports show that victims can do well after days of symptoms, delay in definitive treatment may cause damage that is irreversible.

• Severity of symptoms: Joint pains alone do better than focal weakness or inability to urinate.

• Preexisting health: Young, healthy people can tolerate a greater insult to their health than an older person with other diseases.