Does Blood Flow Restriction Training Improve Quadriceps Function After Arthroscopic Knee Surgery?

ConditionsQuadriceps Atrophy ACL Reconstruction

Trial statusRecruiting

Trial phaseNot applicable

Trial typeInterventional

Biological sexAll

Age14-55

SponsorThe University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

About this trial

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) plus BFR training compared to PT alone (without BFR training) after ACL reconstruction in patients who require extended limited weight bearing through assessment of patient reported outcomes and functional testing. The hypothesis is that PT plus BFR training will mitigate the loss of quadriceps muscle cross-sectional area, strength, and function while also improving early clinical and functional results.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with concomitant meniscus or cartilage restoration procedures

Adherence to modified weight bearing status before initiation of PT

Expected participation in recreational or competitive sports after release to full activities

Disqualifiers

Unable to attend (or participate in) physical therapy

Pregnancy

Malignancy

Fracture

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

Blood flow restriction
Device
With BFR, exercises will be performed at 30% one-rep max with the BFR cuff placed around the proximal thigh and inflated to 80% of limb occlusion pressure (avg: 150 mmHg).
Physical therapy
Other intervention
Physical therapy consists of two or three 90-minute sessions per week for 6 weeks and a minimum of 18 visits required for study inclusion.

Treatment groups

150 Participants

are divided into 2 treatment groups

Group A: Physical therapy (PT) plus blood flow restriction (BFR)Experimental treatment 2 interventions

Group B: Physical therapyActive comparator 1 intervention