Blood Flow Restriction: The Benefits After Knee Surgery

 

Blood Flow Restriction:

The Benefits After Knee Surgery

Do you want to get back to life faster following knee surgery?

You need to try this up-and-coming therapeutic modality!

Introduction:

Every year there are over 600,000 total knee replacements and 10,000 ACL reconstruction surgeries performed in the United States. These are staggering statistics to consider. All of these patients then had to partake in some sort of rehabilitation to get back to their normal daily activities. Attending physical therapy appointments is vital to rehabilitation. However, PT can be a time-consuming process, getting in the way of school, work and sports. Physical therapy can also be expensive. What if there was a modality that allowed patients to get back to what they loved to do faster? I have exciting news to share. This modality does exist and is called Blood Flow Restriction (BFR).

What is Blood Flow Restriction (BFR)?

Blood flow restriction is an up-and-coming modality that has been linked to building stronger muscles while only completing low-intensity exercises. BFR uses an elastic cuff that almost mimics a tourniquet. This cuff blocks venous blood flow and allows arterial blood flow to flow throughout the body. This enhances the healing process by reducing the delivery of oxygen to the muscles. This initiates cell signaling and hormonal changes, proliferation of myogenic satellite cells, and activating type II muscle fibers. Patients who use BFR become hypertrophic. Hypertrophy means that a muscle is increasing in cross-sectional area which means it is getting stronger. This is crucial for any patient recovering from knee surgery. These patients will get stronger muscles faster using BFR.

Exercise program after ACL reconstruction using BFR

• Researchers found that using this exercise plan, patients were able to see a significant increase in strength in quadriceps while they were completing low-intensity exercises.

• Researchers also found that patients who used BFR 2 weeks prior to ACL reconstruction decreased the effect of losing quadricep muscle strength.

This is an example of a straight leg raise using BFR

Practical Applications:

• Patients gain a greater quality of life faster using BFR than just traditional PT.

• BFR can be cost-effective as PT can get expensive.

• Future research should be focused on pediatrics and geriatrics.

• Pediatrics could return to sport faster if they use BFR. This can improve mental health as they can heal faster.

• Geriatrics with chronic conditions can use BFR to become hypertrophic by completing low-intensity exercises.

• BFR deals with pressures in the body, so it can be dangerous for some patients.

• Healthcare professionals must review the contraindication list with every patient before use.

Contraindications:

• Venous thromboembolism

• Peripheral vascular compromise

• Sickle cell anemia

• Extremity infection

• Lymphadenectomy

• Cancer or tumor

• Medications that increase the risk of clotting

Resources:

Reading material:

https://www.unionpt.com/improving-recovery-from-knee-surgery-using-blood-flow-restriction-training/

• This article was written by a physical therapist who uses BFR with patients after undergoing knee surgery. 

Video: 

ACCELERATE YOUR INJURY RECOVERY By Biohacking With Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) | Episode 48

• This video illustrates many exercises using BFR that can be used to strengthen the lower extremity. 

Podcast:

All things Blood Flow Restriction Training in under 60 Minutes | Physiotutors Podcast Ep. 008

• Two physical therapists are discussing BFR and explain the benefits and which patients benefit the most.

About the Author:

Caitlin Cogan is a senior at Westfield State University, studying Movement Science with a concentration in Sports Medicine and a double minor in Psychology and Biology. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school to become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She had a summer internship at a PT clinic where she worked with athletes who had undergone ACL reconstruction and used BFR as part of their treatment plan. Caitlin can be contacted at caitlincogan42@gmail.com.

References:

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Gallego-Izquierdo, T. (2020). Comparison of blood flow restriction training versus 

non-occlusive training in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction or knee 

osteoarthritis: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(1), 68. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm10010068 

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 https://www.healthline.com/health/total-knee-replacement-surgery/outcomes-statistics-su

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Leathers, M., Merz, A., Wong, J., Scott, T., Wang, J., & Hame, S. (2015). Trends and 

demographics in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in the United States. Journal of 

Knee Surgery, 28(05), 390–394. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1544193 

Lipker, L. A., Persinger, C. R., Michalko, B. S., & Durall, C. J. (2019). Blood flow restriction 

therapy versus standard care for reducing quadriceps atrophy after anterior cruciate 

ligament reconstruction. Journal of Sport Rehabilitation, 28(8), 897–901. 

https://doi.org/10.1123/jsr.2018-0062 

Marissa, F. R. (2018). Effectivity of blood flow restriction training for gains in strength and 

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